sleeping giant

sleeping giant

A country that is not currently very powerful or influential but has the potential to be due to its size, population, resources, military, etc. It is still not a major economic player at the moment, but with its huge population and rapidly expanding technological infrastructure, many see it as something of a sleeping giant. I fear we may wake a sleeping giant if we initiate an attack against the country.
See also: giant, sleep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sleeping giant

a great power that is still and waiting. The huge country to the south is a sleeping giant, waiting for its chance to become sufficiently industrialized to have real prosperity. The U.S. was a sleeping giant at the outbreak of both world wars.
See also: giant, sleep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be above suspicion
  • be above/beyond suspicion
  • be beyond suspicion
  • (Someone or something) called, they want their (something) back!
  • tomorrow
  • a swan song
  • a bad apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • rotten apple spoils the barrel
References in classic literature
The big, round-shouldered sand-dunes were the sleeping giants of some old northern tale.
Annes House of Dreams
AYR United boss Ian McCall has revealed prolific forward Lawrence Shankland has an offer from a 'sleeping giant' in England - amid reported interest from Sunderland.
Shankland is 'sleeping giant' target
it was the genuine need to awake the sleeping giant that brought me into politics.
Lead Us To APC, You Can't Resign From Politics Now, Supporters Beg Gbenga Daniel
It provided me the opportunity to teach my girls about gratitude, a trait that is implicit in the character of a sleeping giant.
The Unsalesperson: Recognize these models of selfless giving
New Ontario Brewing Company of North Bay and Sleeping Giant Brewing Company of Thunder Bay are sharing ideas and techniques to produce a new India pale ale (IPA).
Two 'bay'-based breweries team up to produce new ale
GRAEME Souness admits he genuinely believed he would be the man to "prod this sleeping giant awake" when he was first appointed Newcastle United manager.
Souness believed he was right man
2 (ANI): The All India Football Federation (AIFF) believes that the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, beginning later this week in the country, can be a catalyst for the sport and wake up the sleeping giant called India.
'U-17 World Cup can be dawn of a new era in Indian football'
midfielder Marcus has described Wrexham "sleeping giant" a one-year deal.
KELLY EYES DRAGONS REVIVAL; Keates signs up former Forest Green midfielder
"The Legend of Hobbomock: The Sleeping Giant" is a compelling picture book story of a young Quinnipiac brave named Blackbird by author Jason Marchi and painter Jesse Bonelli who have effectively teamed up to capture and present the magic and history of a time before our own.
The Legend of Hobbomock: The Sleeping Giant
Ang ginising ninyo sleeping giant pa,' Pimentel added.
Senators back Duterte rejection of impeachment try vs Robredo
Hull are a real sleeping giant and time will tell on their class of 2016.
East coast rivals shape up
On Sky, Graeme Souness described Arsenal as a "sleeping giant", but aren't Villa a sleeping giant too?
Yes, it's been bad - but let's give Tim time
But now Hd1 Developments believe the time is right to wake the sleeping giant.
WAREHOUSE FUTURE BACK ON TRACK; Million-plus investment set to trigger development of major site
I say let the sleeping giant of the nursing union movement rise and be awake.
Let the sleeping NZNO giant stir