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rattling

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rattle through (something)

To undertake to do or say something rather quickly, especially as a means of finishing as soon as possible. We've only got a few more things to do before we can close up for the night, so let's just rattle through them and get the heck out of here. My boss rattled through the list of regulations so quickly that I couldn't even catch half of what he said!

See also: rattle

sabre-rattling

  (British, American & Australian) also saber-rattling (American)

threatening behaviour which is intended to frighten someone After months of sabre-rattling, the two sides have agreed to a peaceful resolution of their differences.

saber rattling

A flamboyant display of military power; also, aggressive blustering. For example, There had been a great deal of saber rattling between the two nations but hostilities had never broken out . This term, originating about 1920 and alluding to an officer indicating he would draw his saber, at first referred to threatening military force but later was extended to more general use, as in Both candidates engaged in pre-debate saber rattling.

See also: rattling, saber

rattling

mod. excellent. (see also rocking.) Her party was really rattling.