speak softly and / but carry a big stick

/spˈiːk sˈɒftli and bˌʌt kˈaɹi ɐ bˈɪɡ stˈɪk/

/spˈiːk sˈɔftli ænd bˌʌt kˈæɹi ɐ bˈɪɡ stˈɪk/

to speak softly and / but carry a big stick

to approach situations calmly and diplomatically while also having the strength and power to take action if necessary