SettingsMetaphors referring to war and violence
Catch-22 (logic)
A catch-22 is a paradoxical situation in which an individual cannot avoid a problem because of contradictory constraints or rules.
A catch-22 is a paradoxical situation in which an individual cannot avoid a problem because of contradictory constraints or rules.
Dry powder
Usage of the term dry powder originated during infantry battles fought during the era of gun powder and cannons.
Usage of the term dry powder originated during infantry battles fought during the era of gun powder and cannons.
Fog of war
The fog of war is a term used to describe the uncertainty in situation awareness experienced by participants in military operations.
The fog of war is a term used to describe the uncertainty in situation awareness experienced by participants in military operations.
No-win situation
A no-win situation, also called a "lose-lose" situation, is one where a person has choices, but no choice leads to a net gain.
A no-win situation, also called a "lose-lose" situation, is one where a person has choices, but no choice leads to a net gain.
Pyrrhic victory
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor; it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately cause defeat.
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor; it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately cause defeat.
Saber noise
Saber-noise or saber-rattling (ruido de sables) may be used to refer to a historical incident in Chilean history that took place on September 3, 1924, when a group of young military office...
Saber-noise or saber-rattling (ruido de sables) may be used to refer to a historical incident in Chilean history that took place on September 3, 1924, when a group of young military office...
Shareholder rights plan
A shareholder rights plan, colloquially known as a "poison pill", or simply "the pill" is a type of defensive tactic used by a corporation's board of directors against a takeover.
A shareholder rights plan, colloquially known as a "poison pill", or simply "the pill" is a type of defensive tactic used by a corporation's board of directors against a takeover.
Shooting the messenger
"Shooting the messenger" is a metaphoric phrase used to describe the act of lashing out at the (blameless) bearer of bad news.
"Shooting the messenger" is a metaphoric phrase used to describe the act of lashing out at the (blameless) bearer of bad news.
Smoking gun
The term "smoking gun" was originally, and is still primarily, a reference to an object or fact that serves as conclusive evidence of a crime or similar act.
The term "smoking gun" was originally, and is still primarily, a reference to an object or fact that serves as conclusive evidence of a crime or similar act.
Texas sharpshooter fallacy
The Texas sharpshooter fallacy is a logical fallacy in which pieces of information that have no relationship to one another are called out for their similarities, and that similarity is used for...
The Texas sharpshooter fallacy is a logical fallacy in which pieces of information that have no relationship to one another are called out for their similarities, and that similarity is used for...
War as metaphor
The use of war as metaphor is a literary trope of long-standing.
The use of war as metaphor is a literary trope of long-standing.
War chest
In arms and armor, a war chest is a container for the personal weapons and protective gear of a citizen-soldier, kept in the household, and is the origin of the term.
In arms and armor, a war chest is a container for the personal weapons and protective gear of a citizen-soldier, kept in the household, and is the origin of the term.
Win-win game
A win-win game is a game which is designed in a way that all participants can profit from it in one way or the other.
A win-win game is a game which is designed in a way that all participants can profit from it in one way or the other.