sabre-rattling

名词武力威胁，炫耀武力; 刀光剑影

1. 威吓;(尤指)武力恫吓，武力威胁
    If you describe a threat, especially a threat of military action, as sabre-rattling, you do not believe that the threat will actually be carried out.

    e.g. It is too early to say whether the threats are mere sabre-rattling.
           现在断言这些威胁是否只是虚张声势还为时过早。
    e.g. ...sabre-rattling by the military.
           军队的武力恫吓