empty threat
idle threat

It was known that his were never empty threats they came to terms with him.

"He tried to turn things around one more time with his empty threats," she said.

So in some ways the policy rests on an empty threat.

But the practical effect of empty threats is the same.

Do not make the mistake of thinking this an empty threat.

"Do you think an empty threat is going to cow me?"

We found that his parting words were no empty threat.

Make empty threats about what you'll do if he doesn't change.

President Bush does not deal in empty threats and halfway measures.

It's possible it was an empty threat, one that he never intended to carry out.

If they mistook it for another empty threat, so much the better.

It was an empty threat, and sounded foolish even to me.

But both men knew it was an empty threat.

It had been an empty threat to begin with.

What was more, it was far from an empty threat.

It had nothing to do with her empty threats.

Shouting out empty threats and hoping it would just go away.

"We must assume that this is not an empty threat.

But she knew Adam well enough by now to know he wouldn't make empty threats.

You can't just carry a sword around as an empty threat.

It was an empty threat - for now, at least - but she wouldn't know that.

Her desire for a modern opera is evidently no empty threat.

"If you want to hear an angry, doctor make a lot of empty threats, go ahead, pick it up."

"You make the target commit itself to an empty threat.

It was an empty threat, but there was no reason to point that out.

The others knew that Tom's words were no idle threat.

But he and I both knew also that idle threats work sometimes.

She said she'd be trouble, and my wife is not given to idle threat.

"For those who think this is an idle threat, guess again."

It could be idle threats but children like my son are saying why would they want to do this?

I'll be glad when people stop making such idle threats.

From the dead tone of the other's voice, it was no idle threat.

Now the announcement of a price increase is often an idle threat.

He had never heard his commanding officer make an idle threat.

"It's the same idle threats they have been saying for six months," he added.

The company thought it was an idle threat until the youth said he would bring down part of the company's computer system - and did.

A member of the audience asked, "What's the difference between an idle threat and a real risk?"

But she had a feeling it wasn't an idle threat.

I had also discovered Johnny did not make idle threats.

Did you follow through or was it an idle threat?"

Not an idle threat made in the heat of anger; she meant it.

There is no such thing as an idle threat anymore."

In addition he adds: Father, please understand, this is no idle threat.

Did he dare treat the note as an idle threat?

It is important to remember that logical consequences are never to be used as an idle threat.

His friend was not one to make idle threats.

Those who knew John knew it was no idle threat.

It was an idle threat; I'd probably just get a polite recording.

"I have never heard Sabin make an idle threat," the girl said.

I don't think we should have any more idle threats."