dragon's teeth
Concrete defensive fortifications
Dragon's teeth are obstacles—originally concrete pyramids or steel posts planted in rows to stop tanks and vehicles.
The term comes from Greek myth, where Cadmus sowed dragon's teeth that sprouted into armed warriors.
To sow dragon's teeth is to take action that creates future conflict or multiplies enemies: The treaty's harsh terms sowed dragon's teeth for the next war.
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- CadmusLegendary Theban founder
- discordLack of agreement
- fortificationsDefensive barriers against attack
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
Maginot Line · provocation · armed conflict · Ares · unintended consequences · Greek mythology · Hydra · reap the whirlwind · Golden Fleece · Athena · Jason · self-fulfilling prophecy · Argonauts · defensive lines · Pandora's box · chain reactions · ripple effects · stalagmites
- coastal defensesseawall, seawalls, sea wall, sea walls, breakwater
- military engineeringengineers, combat engineer, combat engineers, sappers, sapper
- tank obstaclestank trap, anti-tank mines, concrete blocks, steel beams, steel rails
- fortificationsfort, fortress, fortresses, citadel, citadels
dragon's teetholive branch
Symbol of reconciliation
peace offering · peacemaking · reconciliation · conflict resolution · bridge-building