credible threat

基本解释

So, some well-chosen sanctions, or even a credible threat to consider them, might have an impact.
因此，一些精心挑选的制裁措施，甚或是令人信服地威胁考虑实施这些制裁都可能产生影响。
A call for the Israelis to freeze settlements is effective only if it is accompanied by the credible threat of a reduction in aid.
呼吁以色列冻结定居点只有辅之减少援助的实际威胁才能奏效。
Two minutes later, a "credible threat" forced the evacuation of the White House, and eventually State and Justice and all the federal office buildings.
两分钟后，“确凿的威胁”迫使白宫人员撤离，并最终迫使国务院、司法部、和所有联邦办公大楼的人员全部撤离。

It won't be long before Colombian rebel forces pose a credible threat to the Panama Canal.
FORBES: Fact And Comment
Right now the only credible threat to Home Depot's dominance of hardware retailing is Lowe's Cos.
FORBES: Profit in a Big Orange Box