rattle the sabre
Brandish war threats
To rattle the sabre is to make aggressive threats or displays of military force without necessarily intending to follow through.
The image is of a soldier shaking a sword in its scabbard to intimidate.
Nations rattle the sabre when they move troops to borders or announce weapons tests: Both sides have been rattling the sabre, but neither wants actual war.
Also spelled *rattle the saber*.
- militarismPro-force national policy
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- empty threatsInsincere warnings of consequences
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- bellicosityInclination toward hostility
intimidation · show of force · show of strength · bluster · gunboat diplomacy · belligerence · posturing · ultimatum · provocation · brinkmanship · beat the drum · play hardball · fearmongering · scare tactics · arms race · draw a line in the sand · psychological warfare · negotiation
rattle the sabrede-escalate
Reduce intensity of conflict
bury the hatchet · negotiate · appease · capitulate · back down
rattle the sabresubmit
Present for consideration
yield · grovel · cower · roll over · shrink back
rattle the sabrego to war
Start military action
take action · follow through · declare war · strike · put up or shut up
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