脅し

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 脅し, read おどし, is a threat or act of intimidation that frightens someone with possible harm or disadvantage.
• Basic usage: It may be language in a threatening letter or loud intimidation with no intention of carrying the threat out.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A threat of harm or intimidation
  • It denotes a threat written in a letter or intimidation through shouting without intent to act. The second example explicitly separates the threat from actual intention.