under (the) threat of (something)

under (the) threat of (something)

Because a specific dangerous, coercive, or otherwise unwelcome action (named after "of") has been threatened. I told the headmaster the truth about the plagiarism epidemic in our grade under the threat of expulsion. A: "Why would Mackey have revealed that classified government information? He's one of the best spies we have." B: "Sir, he must have been under threat of death."

See also: of, threat

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