A flamboyant display of military power as an implied threat that it might be used
sabre-rattling in AM, use saber-rattling 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. It is too early to say whether the threats are mere sabre-rattling. when someone threatens to use force but you do not think they are very frightening or serious