Idioms

rattle sabres

rattle sabers

To make aggressive, blustering, and typically empty threats. I'd like to think that the country's threats of nuclear extermination are just them rattling sabers, but I'm not too sure anymore. The boss just likes to rattle sabers every now and then to make herself feel powerful.
See also: rattle, saber
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

rattle sabres

threaten to take aggressive action.
See also: rattle, sabre
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
While others rattle sabres, Omanis sit down to talk.
Still, while warmongers rattle sabres, it's probably worth the effort to revisit a story of renewal and forgiveness, whether or not you're a believer.
Not till Pakistan or China rattle sabres, we as 1.22 billion people don't spare a thought for the armed forces.
I believe it's jingoistic to rattle sabres from the comfort of one's warm and cozy home.
Egypt's ageing generals often rattle sabres at their traditional enemy, Israel, but have used the idle decades to carve out an empire at home.
It always puts us on guard when politicians rattle sabres.
The U.S.-led coalition forces have yet to provide a secure environment--in either Iraq or Afghanistan--and President George Bush continues to rattle sabres at Iran and North Korea, the two remaining hostile regimes on his axis-of-evil list.
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