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.
(..) We're all just trash, waiting to be thrown away! That's all a toy is! Hey, stop it! Put me down, you idiot! No! No! Wait a minute! Big Baby, wait! -He's gone! -Holy cow. Come on. Hurry! For crying out loud! Cowboy, hurry! Woody! Oh, boy. lncoming! (..)2010 Toy Story 3
(..) l knew it! l just knew it! l think he did mean to put us in the attic. Well, then, Woody was telling the truth. -Holy cow! -And you didn't believe him. Hey, you didn't believe him first! Guys, we gotta... We gotta go home! -Lotso! -Hey, there. (..)2010 Toy Story 3