blood and iron
/ˌblʌd (ə)n(d) ˈ ʌɪən/Chiefly historical in later use
noun
In foreign policy (originally and chiefly that of Otto von Bismarck (1815-98)): the use of military force rather than diplomacy; the advocacy of such an approach.
Phrases
man of blood and iron
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Bradford Observer. From blood + and + iron, after German Blut und Eisen.