saber rattling, n.Definitions

Saber rattling (n.) may ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠aim not at war but at provocation: push the target's leaders into repression, foment disorder, and frighten allies into isolating it.