Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
show one's teeth en · VERB
Meanings
-
(alt-of, alternative, idiomatic) Alternative form of bare one's teeth.
The Czech president, Petr Pavel, has urged Nato to “show its teeth” in response to Russia’s repeated testing of the alliance’s resolve on its eastern flank, suggesting a range of options including switching off its internet, cutting off its banks from global financial systems and shooting down jets that violate allied airspace.
2026 May 22, Jakub Krupa, Shaun Walker, “Czech president urges Nato to ‘show its teeth’ over Russia’s provocations”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:We've come a long, long way boys! Now it's time for America to show its teeth. Fix bayonets!
2016, DICE, Battlefield 1 (Historical Fiction), Stockholm: Electronic Arts, PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4, scene: American Ballroom Blitz Pre-Battle Speech (Operations), set in 1918:
Forms