heavy in hand—(of people, horses, etc.) hard to manage or control:
- Even if Jane was a little heavy in hand, with that appearance it didn’t so very much matter.
heavy-handed—
1. awkward in the use of hands:
- She even taught heavy-handed but dauntless colliers, who were seized with passion to “play.”
2. inclined to severe punishment :
- Grandfather was heavy-handed with his own children but very indulgent with us grandchildren.
3. (of an approach, methods, etc.) harsh:
- Regulation of the electricity market started in a light-handed fashion but there has been an increasing trend towards more heavy-handed regulation.
4. (of a joke, style, etc.) inept or clumsy; lacking lightness or grace:
- Their jokes are very heavy-handed, and generally involve discomfort for the victim.
See also: have a heavy hand / have a light hand.