taut hand noun2 •(old-fashioned) An officer who is severe in discipline."[…]I'm no Tartar nor a slavedriver. But I am a taut hand, and a taut ship where every man jack works clearly for me, our ship, his mates, and our Fleet is a happy ship.[…]" — 1993 •(old-fashioned) Strict discipline."Twas the first time I did that part of the duty in command, and I felt, in the circumstances, I was in for carrying it out with a taut hand." — 1879 formstaut hands
