brutum fulmen
The Latin phrase "brutum fulmen" translates to "harmless thunderbolt" and is used to describe ineffective actions or threats.
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Definition
C2Legal
(technical, archaic)A judgement or order that has no practical effect.
Example
- The court's decision was a brutum fulmen, as it led to no actual changes.
C1General
(idiom, archaic)An empty threat or action that lacks real impact.
Example
- His warning turned out to be a brutum fulmen, causing no real concern.