They tried to overawe others by displaying their strength before the volleyball match but finally they failed.

他们企图在排球赛前先声夺人，结果事与愿违。

youdao

They have also been employed for display - in temples for religious purposes, in circuses for entertainment (though there's less of that than there used to be), and by rulers to overawe their subjects and impress their rivals.

BBC: No white elephants in this herd