MENACE, MENACING
ADJECTIVES
► MINACIOUS menacing, threatening; full of threats or menaces → 1660
► MINATORIAL minatory, threatening, menacing → 1873 obs.
► MINITANT threatening; that constitutes a menace → 1854 obs.
► TEN FEET TALL hugely impressive; menacing → 1962 US sl.
NOUNS
► IMPENDENCE menacing attitude; imminence → 1657
► IMPENDENCY imminence; threatening or menacing character → a1632
► MINACITY disposition to use threats; a threatening or menacing → 1656
NOUNS – PERSON
► HELLER an energetic and aggressive person, esp. one who is mischievous and menacing → 1895 US students’ sl.
► TOUGH BABY a menacing man; a hoodlum → 1932 US sl.
► TOUGH COOKIE a menacing man; a hoodlum → 1928 US sl.
► TOUGHIE ► TOUGHY a menacing person, esp. a man → 1929 US sl.
► UGLY CUSTOMER a person who is likely to cause trouble, or be difficult to deal with; an unpleasant, menacing person → 1811
PHRASES
► THERE’S BLOOD ON THE MOON there’s a menacing or suspicious situation or set of events → 1933 Amer. dial.
VERBS
► BREAK BAD to become hostile, menacing, or aggressive → 2008 African-American sl.
► JUMP BAD to become hostile, menacing, or aggressive → 2002 African-American sl.
► PUT THE FRIGHTENERS ON SOMEONE to menace, threaten, or intimidate → 1958 Brit. police & criminals’ sl.
Lexicophilia 