play chicken: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USGlobalinformalcolloquial
  • To engage in a dangerous contest in which two parties advance toward a risky point (often literal vehicular confrontation) to see which will yield first.
  • To take part in a stunt or dare in which participants test each other's willingness to risk harm by refusing to back down.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The two drivers played chicken on the narrow bridge, each daring the other to swerve first.

    The two drivers played chicken on the narrow bridge, each daring the other to swerve first.

  • During the protest, the groups played chicken with the police, advancing until someone had to back down.

    During the protest, the groups played chicken with the police, advancing until someone had to back down.

  • We played chicken on the racetrack, pushing our cars to the limit to see who would blink first.

    We played chicken on the racetrack, pushing our cars to the limit to see who would blink first.

• 2.

  Globalinformalstrategic
  • To engage in brinkmanship or mutual intimidation in a negotiation or conflict, hoping the other side will concede first.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The two companies played chicken during the merger talks, unwilling to compromise on key terms.

    The two companies played chicken during the merger talks, unwilling to compromise on key terms.

  • Negotiators often play chicken to test how far the other side will go before conceding.

    Negotiators often play chicken to test how far the other side will go before conceding.

  • By playing chicken over the budget, both departments risked delaying the project indefinitely.

    By playing chicken over the budget, both departments risked delaying the project indefinitely.