They were 'cowed' into silence by threats. [=they did not complain, publicly say anything, etc., because they had been threatened]
They'll be arguing about this 'till the cows come home'.
The football team was a 'cash cow' for the university.
(..) when I lost my Clydesdales. Okay, hi again! Hi, Phoebe! Today, we're gonna start with some songs about barnyard animals. Oh, the cow in the meadow goes "moo" Oh, the cow in the meadow goes "moo" Then the farmer hits him And grinds him up And that's how we get hamburgers Now chickens! (..)1996 TvShow: Friends Title: The One After the Superbowl: Part 1 Season: 2 Episode 12