saber-rattling

[ sey-ber-rat-ling ]

/ ˈseɪ bərˌræt lɪŋ /

a show or threat of military power, especially as used by a nation to impose its policies on other countries.

Origin of saber-rattling

First recorded in 1920–25; see origin at saber, rattle¹, -ing¹

Indeed, saber-rattling or not, we should take Ryan seriously.

Paul Ryan Panders With a Threat to Take the Debt Ceiling Hostage, Again |Jamelle Bouie |December 16, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
“This is saber-rattling à la North Korea,” he said in a television interview.

Between Gibraltar and a Hard Place |Barbie Latza Nadeau |August 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
And Obama has worked to push American foreign policy beyond Carterite apologetics or Bushesque saber-rattling.

Carter Is Worse Than Clint |Gil Troy |September 4, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Sanctions and saber-rattling alone were never going to do the trick, nor would periodic efforts at one-shot diplomacy.

Don't Prove Walt and Mearsheimer Right |Lara Friedman |March 15, 2012 |DAILY BEAST