idle threats
Bark without bite
Idle threats are warnings of harm or consequences that the speaker has no intention or ability to carry out.
The idle suggests emptiness—words without substance behind them.
Parents who never follow through make idle threats; so do bullies who back down when challenged.
His promises to fire everyone were idle threats.
The phrase implies the threat shouldn't be taken seriously.
- sabre-rattlingThreatening military action loudly
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- tough talkForceful, intimidating speech
- bluffCalculated false front
- blusterLoud, empty boasting
shadowboxing · intimidation · scare tactics · hollow · fearmongering · crying wolf · empty promises · bravado · warnings · insincerity · paper tiger · empty · exaggeration · consequences · verbal sparring · hot air · hyperbole · manipulation
- empty promiseslip service, broken vows, false hope, hot air, overpromising
idle threatsfollow-through
Completing what you began
decisive action · actions speak louder than words · walking the walk · show of force · fait accompli
idle, threat, idles, idled, idling, idler, idlers, idleness, idly