rattle one’s sabre;sharpen one’s knife (/sword); whet one’s swords ❍ 敌军已经～，随时准备向我们发动进攻。我们怎能掉以轻心？ The enemy troops have sharpened their swords and are ready to attack us at any time. How can we let down our vigilance. ❍ 小弟闻姊来，～向猪羊。(《木兰诗》) When her little brother heard that his sister had come，丨He sharpened his knife and darted like a flash丨Towards the pigs and sheep.