こけおどし

こ

け

お

ど

し

Meanings

noun, na-adjective

empty threat; bluff; paper tiger

usually written using kana alone

Refers to a threat or show of force that lacks real substance; often used when someone tries to intimidate but cannot back it up.

彼かれの警けい告こくはこけおどしに過すぎなかった。
His warning was nothing more than an empty threat.
あの会かい社しゃの強つよ気きな発はつ言げんはこけおどしだと思おもう。
I think that company's tough talk is just a bluff.

Kanji

虚void, emptiness, unpreparedness
仮sham, temporary, interim
威intimidate, dignity, majesty
脅threaten, coerce

Related words

脅おどし
脅し is a general threat or intimidation, while こけおどし specifically implies the threat is empty or lacks real power.
はったり
はったり is a bluff, often in a game or negotiation, emphasizing deception; こけおどし focuses more on the hollowness of the threat itself.

Written forms

虚こ仮け威おどし
Rare kanji spelling; the word is normally written in kana.
虚こ仮け脅おどし
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the word is normally written in kana.

Etymology

Compound of こけ (from 虚仮, meaning 'foolish' or 'empty') and おどし (from 脅し, 'threat'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since at least the Edo period.