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Noun: saber rattling  'sey-bur,ra-tu-ling
Usage: N. Amer (elsewhere: sabre rattling)
  1. The ostentatious display of military power (with the implied threat that it might be used)
    - sabre rattling [Brit, Cdn]

Derived forms: saber rattlings

Type of: action, military action

Encyclopedia: Saber rattling