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Noun: sabre rattling  'sey-bu(r),ra-tu-ling
Usage: Brit, Cdn (US: saber rattling)
  1. The ostentatious display of military power (with the implied threat that it might be used)
    "The country's sabre rattling increased tensions with its neighbours";
    - saber rattling [N. Amer]

Type of: action, military action

Encyclopedia: Sabre rattling