(あめ)(むち)

あめとむち
expression
carrot and stick; reward and punishment
1. carrot and stick; reward and punishment; the soft and hard approach
A strategy of using both incentives (rewards) and deterrents (punishment) to achieve a desired outcome. Literally 'candy and whip.' Equivalent to the English expression 'carrot and stick.'
(あめ)(むち)使(つか)()ける。
To use the carrot and the stick appropriately.
あの上司(じょうし)(あめ)(むち)使(つか)(かた)がうまい。
That boss is good at using the carrot and stick approach.
子育(こそだ)てでは(あめ)(むち)のバランスが大切(たいせつ)だと()われている。
They say the balance between reward and punishment is important in child-rearing.

Literally 'candy and whip.' The expression is thought to derive from Bismarck's domestic policy approach (Zuckerbrot und Peitsche, 'sugar bread and whip'). Common collocations: (あめ)(むち)使(つか)()ける (to skillfully alternate between reward and punishment), (あめ)(むち)政策(せいさく) (carrot-and-stick policy). Used in contexts of management, parenting, education, and politics.