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Gunboat Diplomacy

What Does "Gunboat Diplomacy" Mean?

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"Gunboat diplomacy" is an English idiom. It means "the use or threat of military force or aggressive tactics as a means of diplomacy or negotiation to achieve political goals."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "gunboat diplomacy" used in a sentence:
  • During the crisis, the country resorted to gunboat diplomacy to assert its territorial claims in the region.
  • Gunboat diplomacy can sometimes backfire, leading to heightened tensions and conflict instead of peaceful resolution.
  • The international community condemned the nation's use of gunboat diplomacy, urging diplomatic dialogue instead.
meaning for gunboat diplomacy

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Gunboat Diplomacy" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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