show of force

show of force

A display of one's power, influence, or capability to cause harm, meant to act as a warning or deterrent to others. The president said that such a show of force will be treated as an act of aggression by the foreign country and could lead to a declaration of war. The march by union organizers is intended as a show of force to politicians threatening to weaken their bargaining powers.
See also: force, of, show
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a show of ˈforce

an act which clearly shows your power or gives a warning to people not to act against you: The government sent in tanks as a show of force, and the rebels left the town.
See also: force, of, show
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a show of force
  • display of force
  • prove (oneself) as (something)
  • prove oneself as
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • be hoist by (one's) own petard
  • be hoist with (one's) own petard
  • be hoist with one's own petard
  • be hoist/hoisted by/with your own petard
References in periodicals archive
It came as Iraqi authorities were preparing to launch the largest show of force since Saddam's ousting in the capital in a bid to curb the rampant insurgency, which has killed more than 650 people since the country's new government was announced on April 28.
Besides allowing the battery's Soldiers to hone their skills and showcase the effectiveness of their weapons, the recent exercise allowed the unit to synchronize all the fire support assets in the area, as a show of force, said battery commander CPT Brendan Raymond.
An estimated 15,000 people have protested in the capital, Bern--the first public show of force since Unia was founded two weeks ago.
North Carolina hesitated, but Franklin didn't: Sevier led 2,000 men westward through the woods to Nashville, and the show of force was enough to disband the Indians without a fight.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) conducting peace operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) conducted a show of force 25 March to 17 April 1998 to demonstrate SFOR's rapid reinforcement capability.
team fabricated intelligence and phony news reports to convince the Guatemalan military that defeat was inevitable, bluffing Arbenz out of office with a nominal show of force. Even The New York Times agreed to keep its correspondent off the story.
"I believe that our show of force made the legislators realize that the CPA profession is serious about what we do, and that the vast majority of CPAs are professional and of very high integrity," says Paggi.
Trade unionists carrying thousands of flags turned the streets red yesterday and packed into the Circus Maximus, scene of ancient Rome's chariot races, in a show of force against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
soldiers deployed to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo as a "show of force," according to U.S.
Earlier yesterday, Attorney General Ms Janet Reno said the agents who seized Elian had to have a "show of force - not a use of force - to show we were in control".
The show of force is standard operating procedure for
McKinley decided on a show of force to protect U.S.
British armoured vehicles were shot at as they patrolled in Bosnia as part of the United Nations' biggest show of force since their peace-keeping mission began.
Oil-producing nations have recently made a show of force, arguing that current emissions goals are sufficient -- a position backed by the U.S.
In order to preserve this image, al-Asad must sustain a large armed presence precisely in order to present to the world a show of force.