Source: http://news.yahoo.com/crimea-euphoria-fades-russians-104555489--business.html
After weeks of saying visa bans and asset freezes imposed by the European Union and United States against a number of firms and officials close to Putin could not harm the economy, Russian leaders are increasingly testy over the damage wrought if not by the current sanctions, then by the threat of more.
Is that a common phrase? What does that exactly mean?