threat

threat [ θret ] noun ***

1. ) count an occasion when someone says that they will cause you harm or problems, especially if you do not do what they tell you to do:

threat of: After threats of legal action they stopped the construction.

make/issue a threat: He would not make threats he wasn't prepared to carry out.

death threats: He had received death threats.

a bomb threat: A bomb threat forced them to make an emergency landing.

an idle/empty threat (=a threat that is not serious): This isn't some idle threat.

a phone threat: She is charged with making phone threats to her ex-husband.

2. ) count or uncount a situation or activity that could cause harm or danger:

pose a threat: The dispute poses a direct threat to peace.

a threat to freedom/democracy

threat to: Officials were confident there had been no threat to public health.

a ) count someone who might defeat you or cause problems for you:

She is not viewed as a threat by her former employer.

threat to: He saw the other man as a real threat to his marriage.

b ) count or uncount the possibility that something bad is going to happen:

threat of: Constant threat of attack makes everyday life dangerous here.

The threat of full-scale war has not been averted.

face a threat: They face the threat of terrorism every day.

under threat

1. ) because of being threatened:

under threat of: Any contract made under threat of violence is not legal.

2. ) likely to be harmed or damaged