rattle a sabre

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rattle, sabre.

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Meanings

verbrattle a sabre (third-person singular simple present rattles a sabre, present participle rattling a sabre, simple past and past participle rattled a sabre)

present singular third person rattles a sabre · participle present rattling a sabre · participle past rattled a sabre · past rattled a sabre

  1. alternativeAlternative form of sabre-rattle.

    She was a feminist, in her own way, but didn't rattle a sabre or shove her beliefs down anyone's throat.

    2016, Kyle C. Fitzharris, Skip Shot: A Novel
    2 more examples

    But France's deteriorating domestic situation, coupled with her diplomatic isolation, could lead the most pacific minded Frenchmen to rattle a sabre.

    2011, Gregor Dallas, 1815: The Roads to Waterloo

    And when it comes to a gunboat, you've got some very good people here. It's not up to you to declare war on Afghanistan of course but get permission to rattle a sabre!'

    2012, Barbara Cleverly, The Damascened Blade
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rattle, sabre.
Cite this entry
APA

rattle a sabre. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rattle%20a%20sabre

MLA

“rattle a sabre.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rattle%20a%20sabre. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rattle a sabre,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rattle%20a%20sabre.

Source: rattle a sabre on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.