make an empty show of strength; be swashbuckling; be full of bravado; bluff and bluster; bluff purposely; borrowed plumes; flourish [flaunt] one's authority; make a tremendous show of force deliberately; make [put on; put up] a false show of strength; make a great show of force; make a pompous but empty show (of power) and influence; make a pretense (of power); make a deceptive show of power; make an empty [outward] show; maintain the appearance of strength; put up [on] a bluff; play a game of bluff; put up a bold front; whistle in the dark