show one's teeth
Bare a threat
To show one's teeth is to display aggression or assert power, like an animal baring its fangs as a warning.
The phrase suggests revealing a capacity for hostility that was previously concealed: The normally diplomatic ambassador showed her teeth during the trade negotiations.
Someone who shows their teeth signals they won't be pushed around.
- assertDeclare confidently true
- snarlHostile vocal threat
- growlLow threatening sound
- resistOppose or refuse compliance
- fight backOppose an attacker
bare fangs · threaten · stand firm · stand one's ground · menace · intimidate · mean business · challenge · dominate · alpha dog · power play · retaliate · attack · defend · draw the line · warning · bare · empower
show one's teethturn the other cheek
Refuse to retaliate
make nice · make peace · wave the white flag · disarm · bury the hatchet
show, shows, showed, shown, showing, showy, showily, showiness, ones