veiled threat
Implied harmful consequence
A veiled threat is a threat delivered indirectly or with enough ambiguity to maintain deniability.
Rather than stating consequences explicitly, the speaker implies them: Nice business you have here—would be a shame if something happened to it.
The veil is thin enough that the target understands the danger while the speaker can claim innocence if confronted.
- impliedSuggested without stating
- menaceSource of potential harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- warningAlert about danger
- or elseImplied negative consequence
subtle · between the lines · covert · underlying · sinister · insinuation · unspoken · hint · ominous · dangerous · suggestion · backhanded compliment · passive-aggressive · lurking · shadowy · coded · subtext · hidden agenda
- manipulation tacticsgaslighting, guilt trip, guilt-tripping, guilt tripping, emotional blackmail
- indirectnesscircumlocution, euphemism, hedging, hint, hinting
- subtexthidden meaning, implied meaning, subtext, innuendo, insinuation