sabre-rattling
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
- saber-rattling (mostly US)
[edit] Etymology
From the early 20th century, when an officer would threaten to draw his sabre.
[edit] Noun
- (idiomatic) A flamboyant display of military power as an implied threat that it might be used.
- (idiomatic, figuratively) Any threat, such as one company threatening another with a lawsuit.
[edit] Translations
display of military power as an implied threat
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figuratively: any threat
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