releasing the kraken
Freeing the monster
Releasing the kraken means unleashing something powerful, destructive, or overwhelming.
The phrase comes from the 1981 film *Clash of the Titans* (and its 2010 remake), where Zeus commands a sea monster to be released.
It's used for dramatic effect when deploying a decisive force or resource: Time to release the kraken on this project.
In crude slang, it can mean urinating or defecating, especially after prolonged holding.
- sea monsterMythic ocean beast
- mythical creatureImaginary beast from folklore
- cataclysmViolent, large-scale disaster
- internet memeWidely spread digital content
- triggeringCausing to activate
sea beast · Leviathan · unleashing · let loose · all hell breaks loose · opening Pandora's box · meme · upheaval · apocalypse · Charybdis · GIF · going viral · Scylla · tempest · maelstrom · Armageddon · pandemonium · activating
releasing the krakenholding back
Preventing forward movement
suppressing · biting one's tongue · sitting on one's hands · containing · keeping one's powder dry
releasing the krakenmeasured response
Controlled, proportional reply
proportional response · surgical strike · gentle nudge · kid gloves · de-escalation
releasing the krakenstanding down
Relinquishing a position
backing off · de-escalating · burying the hatchet · retreating
release, released, releases, releaser, releasing, kraken, krakens