Word/phrase for talking tough when afraid

I often notice this as a psychological response/defense mechanism that people do when afraid. They will talk tough about the thing they are afraid of. They will say that they will do horrible things to the thing they are afraid of, to compensate for the fear they experience. Is there a word or phrase or idiom for this?

Solution 1:

You could use bluster, which fits the situation well:

angry or threatening talk or behavior from someone who wants to hide their fear or nervousness

Solution 2:

How about bravado?

bravado, n.
1. a. Boastful or threatening behaviour; ostentatious display of courage or boldness; bold or daring action intended to intimidate or to express defiance; often, an assumption of courage or hardihood to conceal felt timidity, or to carry one out of a doubtful or difficult position.
_{Source: Oxford English Dictionary (login required)}

An excellent example of bravado is a mockingbird chasing a cat away from its nest.
_{Source: Words in a Sentence}

Solution 3:

The following phrases are quite close to what you seek:

put a brave face on/put on a brave face

: try to appear brave or cheerful or to be managing well in a difficult situation, when in fact you are frightened or unhappy

(The Free Dictionary)

put on a (brave) front

: To appear or make oneself seem more courageous, resolute, or dauntless than one really feels.

I could feel my knees shaking with terror before my commencement speech, but I put on a brave front and stepped out onto the stage to deliver it.

(The Free Dictionary)

Solution 4:

This idiom fits well:

Whistling in the dark

It is used about someone who is making a noise in order to feel brave or safe.

As per Collins online:

If you say that someone is whistling in the dark, you mean that they are trying to remain brave and convince themselves that the situation is not as bad as it seems.