An olympic commentator said there was a french saying meaning steel hand in a silk glove. know it in french?

Question

An olympic commentator said there was a french saying meaning steel hand in a silk glove. know it in french?

Answer 1

It's actually an iron hand in a velvet glove.  Supposedly coined by Napoleon, but referenced to other sources.  

In French it's something like main de fer dans un gant de velours.

Answer 2

The toughness is being covered with softness to throw people off.

thats what it means.

Answer 3

In English it is usually expressed as "an iron fist (or hand) in a velvet glove" and in French it is "une main de fer dans un gant de velours".