threaten (one) with

threaten (one) with

To use some specific punishment as a warning for someone to do or not do something. His parents threatened him for a week without video games if he didn't clean up his room. We must aim to topple any government that threatens its citizens with imprisonment or bodily harm for merely offering a dissenting opinion.See also: threaten

threaten someone with someone or something

to warn someone that there will be punishment in the form of someone or something if conditions are not met. No, no! Your Uncle Herman is not coming here! Please don't threaten me with Uncle Herman! Are you threatening me with bodily harm?See also: threaten

threaten with

v. To express a threat against someone by some means or action: The principal threatened the rowdy students with expulsion.See also: threaten