idle threat

American  

[ahy-duhl thret] / ˈaɪ dəl ˈθrɛt /

noun

idle threats plural

1. a threat that is not likely to be carried out, usually because the person who made it does not really mean it.

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Example Sentences

Or maybe the signs had been an idle threat.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2022

While that would typically be an idle threat, the Raptors must be at least a little scared given that Leonard just pulled pretty much this exact move on his previous employer.

From Slate • Jul. 18, 2018

Chinese officials say they do not dismiss anything as an idle threat.

From New York Times • May 29, 2018

Journalists realized that they couldn’t go around reporting every idle threat that popped up on Twitter, which has cost Anonymous much of its credibility.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2012

Apparently I’d frightened him with my idle threat earlier.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss