beat the drums of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beat the drums of war" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to refer to rhetoric or actions taken to prepare a society for or incite a war. For example, "The leaders beat the drums of war in an effort to rally support for their cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

After his capture, Saddam told the FBI that his main intent had been to keep Iran guessing, not to beat the drums of war.

The Guardian

Moreover, news of Spanish atrocities and tales of rebel bravery were splashed in the yellow journalism headlines of William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal, which beat the drums of war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Sadly the advocates of peace struggle to be heard against the din of those who beat the drums of war and sell arms to both sides in conflicts," said the petition addressed to David Cameron.

The Guardian

Britain and other nations with similarly imperialist histories have been quick to beat the drums of war by engaging in military action in countries like Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, but have reacted with very little urgency in trying to end the turmoil in those nations.

Independent

In a recent conversation, she described to me how the riot police beat people as though "intoxicated with hate". President Obama's sanctions are strong, but Putin's propaganda machine will continue to beat the drums of war.

Forbes

He stoked fears and racial resentment, and in the post-9/11 years, his network maligned Americans it deemed insufficiently patriotic and beat the drums of war for a Republican president.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Lloyd Russell Moyle, MP for Kemptown called them "right-wing sods" who want to "beat the drum of war without a plan".

BBC

During his tenure as Speaker of the House, which lasted through most of George W. Bush's administration, Hastert was instrumental in the passing of the Patriot Act, beat the drum of war for the US invasion of Iraq, and advanced the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law allowing states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages that was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013.

Vice

Those beating the drums of war the loudest are usually those who never served and whose children also avoid service.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the president has been out on the campaign trail, beating the drums of war against Saddam Hussein".

The New York Times

"Those who are suggesting, or proposing, or beating the drums of war should explain clearly to the American people what the costs of war would be," he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "beat the drums of war" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and often aggressive nature of promoting conflict. It suggests a clear intention to incite or prepare for war, rather than simply discussing the possibility of it.

Common error

Avoid using "beat the drums of war" when describing cautious or reluctant steps toward conflict. This phrase implies a strong, deliberate push for war, so it's unsuitable for situations where actions are hesitant or aimed at de-escalation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beat the drums of war" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a verb phrase to describe the act of instigating or promoting conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies actions intended to prepare a society for or incite a war.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beat the drums of war" is a grammatically sound idiomatic expression that describes the act of inciting or promoting conflict. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English, primarily within news and media contexts. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, its use suggests a deliberate effort to escalate tensions and prepare for war, carrying a strong connotation of criticism. Alternatives such as "stoke the flames of war" or "promote military action" offer nuanced substitutes, but "beat the drums of war" distinctly captures the intentionality behind agitating for conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incite conflict

Focuses on initiating conflict, removing the metaphor of drumming.

stoke the flames of war

Uses a different metaphor, emphasizing the intensification of existing tensions.

promote military action

Directly refers to advocating for military intervention.

push for war

A more straightforward expression of advocating for war.

agitate for war

Suggests a more active and potentially disruptive promotion of war.

hawk war

Implies selling or promoting war like a product.

call for war

A direct and explicit demand for war.

advocate military intervention

A more formal and neutral way of expressing support for military action.

fuel war hysteria

Highlights the creation of public panic and irrational support for war.

promote belligerence

Focuses on promoting an aggressive or warlike attitude.

FAQs

How can I use "beat the drums of war" in a sentence?

You can use "beat the drums of war" to describe actions or rhetoric intended to incite conflict or prepare a population for war. For example, "The media was accused of /s/stoking+the+flames+of+war by sensationalizing the border dispute".

What does "beat the drums of war" mean?

The phrase "beat the drums of war" is an idiom that means to promote war or conflict through aggressive rhetoric or actions. It suggests a deliberate effort to create a war-like atmosphere.

What can I say instead of "beat the drums of war"?

Alternatives include /s/incite+conflict, /s/stoke+the+flames+of+war, or /s/promote+military+action, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "beat the drums of war" a formal or informal expression?

"Beat the drums of war" is generally considered a neutral expression, commonly used in news and media. While not overly formal, it's suitable for discussing serious topics like political conflict.