rattle the saber
Make military threats
To rattle the saber is to make aggressive gestures or threatening statements without necessarily intending to follow through—displaying military might or issuing warnings to intimidate an adversary.
The phrase evokes a soldier shaking a sword in its scabbard to signal readiness for combat: North Korea rattled the saber again with another missile test.
Also *saber-rattling* as a noun.
Insincere behavior for effect
- blusterLoud, empty boasting
- bravadoPretense of fearlessness
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
menacing · coercion · bullying · dominance · overawe · cow · unnerve · domineer
Pushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- provocationAct that triggers response
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
standoff · showdown · deterrence · antagonism · hostility · belligerence · bellicosity · tensions
Collective military weapons
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- war gamesSimulated combat training
- troop buildupAccumulation of military forces
- military paradeCeremonial armed forces procession
arsenal · nuclear threat · arms race · defense spending · war footing · hawkishness · jingoism · martial
posturing
Insincere behavior for effect
fearmongering · menacing · coercion · bullying · dominance · overawe · cow · unnerve · domineer · pressure
brinkmanship
Pushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- provocationAct that triggers response
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
confrontation · standoff · showdown · deterrence · antagonism · hostility · belligerence · bellicosity · tensions · crisis
armament
Collective military weapons
- mobilizationOrganizing for action
- war gamesSimulated combat training
- troop buildupAccumulation of military forces
military parade · arsenal · nuclear threat · arms race · defense spending · war footing · hawkishness · jingoism · martial · warmonger
rattle the saberbury the hatchet
End hostilities formally
stand down · back down · build bridges · appease · de-escalate
rattle the sabergo to war
Start military action
wage war · declare war · follow through · strike · pull the trigger
rattle, rattled, rattling, rattler, rattles, saber, sabers, sabered