war of nerves | Idiomator

Meaning: ; (idiomatic)Warfarecharacterized bypsychologicalmanipulation, involvingtacticsintended todemoralize,frighten,andunnerveopponentsin order to promptsurrender.Synonym:psychological warfareHypernym:psyops(broadlysynonymous)1915,Liman von Sanders Pasha, Field Marshal of Turkish forces atGallipoli, quoted in "Says Turks Will Soon Expel British,"New York Times, 9 Aug., p. 2 (retrieved 24 Aug. 2010):"Our brave Ottoman soldiers are not easily frightened by noise, owing to their splendid nerves—and this is awar of nerves, a war in which strong nerves mean victory."1939,Sir John Andersonquoted in "Women's Service if War Comes,"Glasgow Herald, 11 May (retrieved 24 Aug. 2010):"In the future, war will not merely be one of men and machines, it will be a war of wills and awar of nerves."; ; (idiomatic,by extension)A situation in whichopposedpartiesrefrainfrom directconflictbut maintain atense,contentiousrelationshipin which each usesannoyancesorintimidatingpsychologicaltacticsto attempt todisheartenandunnervethe other.Synonyms:psyops,psychological warfare1966August 5, “Steel Industry Appears To Be Victor in Battle of Prices”, inThe Free Lance-Star, USA, retrieved 24 Aug. 2010, page 1:A united steel industry appeared to have emerged the victor today in awar of nervesto raise prices on some of its products in the face of White House pressure to hold the price line.1983July 18, “Small Town Host Big Time Chess Tourney”, inDaytona Beach Morning Journal, retrieved 24 Aug. 2010, page 8A:14 of America's best chess players are wielding kings, queens and their chessboard servants in a silent but brutal war. . . . "It's a mental war, it's awar of nerves, of logic, or reasoning, of being a good fighter," said Walter Browne.2009May 27, Oleg Shchedrov, “Russia fears Korea conflict could go nuclear”, inReuters India, retrieved 24 Aug. 2010:"We assume that a dangerous brinkmanship, awar of nerves, is under way, but it will not grow into a hot war," the official told Tass.

Examples:

EN: First it was Hitler screaming on the radio, then the war of nerves, then the victory celebrations, then the bombing. All the furniture burnt.
ES: Primero Hitler gritando por la radio, luego la guerra de nervios... luego las celebraciones victoriosas... luego las bombas... y el incendio de los muebles.
EN: - No, this war of nerves.
ES: - No, de esta guerra de nervios.
EN: The "Cold War"...the war of nerves... that's what you switch to.
ES: La guerra fría, guerra de nervios, es eso.
EN: Probably just a war of nerves.
ES: Ponernos nerviosos.
EN: It is a war of nerves. I know how these creeps work.
ES: Le preguntaré a Vosnick al respecto.
EN: What is this, a war of nerves?
ES: ¿Qué es esto? ¿Una guerra de nervios?
EN: I think he's starting a war of nerves with me.
ES: Creo que quiere ponerme nervioso.
EN: This is no war of nerves.
ES: Ésta no es una guerra de nervios.
EN: This is a war of nerves. And he's winning.
ES: Ésta es una guerra de nervios y él la está ganando.
EN: We might have won this battle, but we're losing the war of nerves.
ES: Ganamos esta batalla. pero perdemos la guerra de nervios.
EN: I don't appreciate this little war of nerves... you are conducting, Columbo.
ES: No me gusta esta guerra de nervios, Columbo.
EN: So, how goes the war of nerves, Colonel?
ES: ¿Cómo va la guerra de nervios, coronel?
EN: It's a war of nerves. Constant. Ongoing.
ES: Es una constante guerra de nervios, nunca se acaba.
EN: A war of nerves. Sir.
ES: Una guerra de nervios.
EN: Francois is just the type of aggressive sociopath who can wage, and winV a war of nerves.
ES: François es sólo el tipo de sociópata agresivo que puede librar y ganar, una guerra de nervios.

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