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.
(..) Have you seen the marble backsplash? Oh, I just must show it to you. Excuse us. What are you trying to do to me, you backstabbing cow? They asked why the owner was selling. I told them that Paul Young was in jail. They asked why. (..)2006 TvShow: Desperate Housewives Title: Listen to the Rain on the Roof Season: 3 Episode 1