Saber Rattling (Noun)
Meaning
The ostentatious display of military power (with the implied threat that it might be used).
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The government's saber-rattling was met with skepticism by neighboring countries, who had seen such displays before without any actual military action.
- North Korea's leader engaged in a typical round of saber-rattling, threatening to launch missiles towards the US mainland in response to joint exercises with South Korea.
- The opposition party accused the current administration of saber-rattling in the lead-up to the election, hoping to appear strong on national defense.
- The military parade was seen as a show of saber-rattling by some, but others interpreted it as a display of national pride and independence.
- Analysts interpreted the increased troop deployment along the border as a clear case of saber-rattling, intended to intimidate rather than to fight.