empty threat

empty threat

A threat that is devoid of worth or meaning, one that cannot or was never intended to be carried out. The manager is always full of empty threats about docking our pay, but he'll never actually go through with it.
See also: empty, threat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • empty promise
  • rattle sabers
  • rattle sabres
  • empty-nesters
  • an empty nester
  • empty nester
  • empty calories
  • live in cotton wool
  • down and out
  • an empty sack cannot stand upright
References in classic literature
Michael Vanstone's son has only to persist in following his father's course to find, before long, that I am not mistaken in my pupil, and that I have not come here to intimidate him by empty threats. My errand is done.
No Name
"He engaged in stupid talk, an empty threat," Mr Hills told the court.
Scissors-wielding man jailed over stab threat; BARECHESTED HOMELESS MAN'S TERRIFYING CHARITY OFFICE TIRADE
over his dead body, or some other such empty threat, Frau Merkel stepped all over him and before you could say "Deutschland uber alles" Juncker's name was the only one on the ballot paper.
Think again on Germany
Threatening you with the boys is an empty threat - he's saying it because he's desperate.
HE NEEDS HELP FOR MENTAL SCARS
These words should not turn into an empty threat. The district government needs to set up a commission to inquire about the officers in the district administration who allowed constructions of illegal establishments.
Rehabilitating The Victims
THE National President of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Abiodun Ogunyemi, has reaffirmed that members of the union were never in a way feel threatened by the Federal Government decision to pay workers only when they work, saying such a proclamation is a mere empty threat.
ASUU never bother about 'no work, no pay' threat a President
He further explained he did not intend to harm his mum in any way - the call had been an empty threat.
Lock me up please - I'm going to end up killing my mother; what drunk man, 39, told call handler after a row
Employers on Friday said the possibility of workers getting laid off was not an empty threat but an expected consequence should a national minimum wage of up to P750 be imposed as a means to help cushion the impact of the Duterte administration's tax reform program.
Mass layoffs in case of big wage hike no empty threat-employers
Robert overhears, and Lachlan claims it was an empty threat, but later we see him firing a shotgun at a pumpkin with Robert's face on it.
The week in soap; TV GUIDE
It was an empty threat so that Carly and others are stuck in the room.
'General Hospital' Spoilers For Nov. 13, 2014: Carly Is Sidelined And Nina Is Delusional
Karzai has called that an empty threat and suggested that any security deal could wait until after his country's April elections.
India backs Afghanistan's delay in signing of Bilateral Security Agreement with U.S
Karzai has called that an empty threat and suggested any security deal could wait until after the April elections.
Afghan's Karzai not seen meeting U.S. deadline on security deal -report
On Thursday, Ukraine's Prime Minister Mykola Azarov told RIA Novosti and Rossiya 24 TV channel that "Ukraine may stop buying gas altogether at that price," warning Russia that "that is not an empty threat."
Russia hits back after Ukraine threatens to cut gas ties
DAC Beachcroft are still to even make the field in the tournament this year with captain Jake Stacy making an empty threat to resign in protest at the weather.
A Brace from Matthew puts Mainstay in command
But her battle with the Lebanese media has been her longest and most fierce and although Ahlam is partial to making an empty threat or two against the press, it looks like she is about to take things further than ever before.
Ahlam demands respect from Lebanese press