It's often used in the context of criminal justice, where a judge might impose a longer prison term or other severe consequences than what was expected.
For example, someone might say:
* "The judge gave the defendant a stiff sentence for the crime."
* "The prosecutor argued for a stiff sentence to deter future offenses."
Here's why it's called "stiff":
* Stiffness can be associated with rigidity and lack of flexibility. A stiff sentence is seen as inflexible, not taking into account mitigating factors or the possibility of rehabilitation.
* Stiffness can also imply unyieldingness or severity. A stiff sentence is seen as a harsh punishment, leaving little room for leniency.
While "stiff sentence" is a widely used term, it's important to note that severity of punishment is subjective and what might be considered "stiff" for one person could be reasonable for another.