English Dictionary

idle threat

名詞

A threat made by a person who does not mean to carry it out, and which perhaps shouldn't be taken seriously by others.

日本語の意味

実際に行動に移す意図がなく、冗談や軽い威嚇としての意味合いを持つ脅迫。 / 真剣に受け止める必要がない、口先だけの脅し。

When he slammed the door and shouted he would quit, everyone dismissed it as an idle threat.

彼がドアをバタンと閉めて辞めると叫んだとき、皆それを口先だけの脅しだと受け流した。

意味（1）

A threat made by a person who does not mean to carry it out, and which perhaps shouldn't be taken seriously by others.

Without any injection of money, Transport for London has said the project could be mothballed. This may not be an idle threat, given the future decline expected in London and South East commuting.

idle threats （ plural ）