saber rattling

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Related to Saber-rattling: sabre rattling

saber rattling

Words and actions that seek to convey anger, power, and intimidation, often in a military setting. The leaders of these countries need to quit their saber rattling before we end up at war.

saber rattling

A flamboyant display of military power; also, aggressive blustering. For example, There had been a great deal of saber rattling between the two nations but hostilities had never broken out . This term, originating about 1920 and alluding to an officer indicating he would draw his saber, at first referred to threatening military force but later was extended to more general use, as in Both candidates engaged in pre-debate saber rattling.

sabre-rattling

COMMON Sabre-rattling is aggressive behaviour in which threats are made, often of military action. Note: `Sabre' is spelled `saber' in American English. He accused the country of sabre-rattling and taking the first step in the trade war. Note: You can also say that someone rattles their sabre or that people rattle sabres. Still, it is good to see both sides talking, rather than rattling sabres at each other. Note: A sabre is a heavy sword with a curved blade that was used in the past by soldiers on horseback.

References in periodicals archive ?

The maneuvers prompted Taiwan's chief security benefactor, the United States, to dispatch an armada into the strait to dissuade China from further saber-rattling.

China being pragmatic by not strong-arming Taiwan on unification: Ma

This year alone, Pyongyang has escalated its saber-rattling by detonating two nuclear devices and launching a series of ballistic missiles as the communist regime marches toward its stated goal of developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental missile that can reach the US mainland.

S. Korea picks "final" site for US missile system

The IRGC commander downplayed the saber-rattling and threats of the enemy as an outcome of their incapability in overcoming Iran's defense prowess.

Commander: Iranian Nation's Resolve Consolidated by Enemy Pressures

Sleiman said that saber-rattling by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak earlier this week was a ploy to "raise the

Tension mounts on southern border with Israel

Political sources said that the top military brass has received instructions not to make public comments that could be perceived as saber-rattling.

Olmert Plays Down Syria Tensions

Indeed, Chavez's pronouncements are seen as just more saber-rattling.

Chavez: all bark, no bite?

It's ironic that the saber-rattling trio Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld evaded the draft themselves, but have been responsible for sending U.

PUBLIC FORUM

She blames "the left" for mishandling the threat from North Korea's current nuclear saber-rattling but fails to mention that the nuclear weapons capability possessed by Kim Jong II arrived from Communist China.

Treason misses the mark: in Treason, Ann Coulter fires both barrels at stupid liberals and inept Democrats, but, like a poor marksman, she keeps missing the real target: a deeply entrenched conspiracy

China had been saber-rattling after Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui on July 9 said Taipei has redefined its relations with China as "state-to-state," triggering an accumulated 14% fall in stock prices last week.

Taiwan stocks rebound as gov't funds intervene

Major powers namely the United States of America have condemned unleash of such long-range missiles by the North Koreans, as tantamount to a form of saber-rattling.

Russia regrets N. Korean missiles' unleash

Analysts expect some volatility in the stock markets, which could be spooked if Beijing engages in saber-rattling.

Cabinet meeting called to plan next steps

Now, the group appears to be stepping up its saber-rattling.

DR Congo Rebels Say They Will Retake Goma

Summary: The resumption of peace talks between Israel and Syria after eight years of saber-rattling is not a diversion from the political troubles of Israel's lame-duck prime minister.

An Israel-Syria deal is strategically vital for both

Besides Taiwan, the islets are claimed by rival China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines, and are typically the cause of some international disputes and saber-rattling between these nations.

Taiwan military plane touches down on disputed island

Rohrabacher's bounty hunter plan is among a slew of saber-rattling bills that have piled up since the September terrorist attacks.