brinkmanship

[ bringk-muhn-ship ]

noun

1. the technique or practice of maneuvering a dangerous situation to the limits of tolerance or safety in order to secure the greatest advantage, especially by creating diplomatic crises.

brinkmanship

/ ˈbrɪŋkmənˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the art or practice of pressing a dangerous situation, esp in international affairs, to the limit of safety and peace in order to win an advantage from a threatening or tenacious foe

brinkmanship

1. The policy of a nation that pushes a dangerous situation to the limits of safety (the “brink”) before pulling back; an aggressive and adventurous foreign policy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of brinkmanship¹

brink + -manship, by analogy with sportsmanship, gamesmanship, etc.; coined by Adlai E.Stevenson in 1956, criticizing the foreign policy of John Foster Dulles

Example Sentences

McLeod has criticized Bourdeaux over her brinkmanship, and questioned whether McBath could step in to represent a brand-new electorate.

From Washington Post

Both sides are elevating their brinkmanship in a way that makes a government shutdown — if not the nation’s first-ever default — more likely.

From Washington Post

He’s playing a daring game of brinkmanship that could mean Congress doesn’t have the votes to raise it, period.

From Washington Post

Kim has proved himself as adept at brinkmanship as his illustrious father and grandfather.

From Time

Some experts saw Johnson’s play as “macho brinkmanship” aimed at forcing the EU to budge in the larger negotiations, but the EU has held firm.

From Vox

As Johanns told the Daily Beast,  “In Washington there is no end to the brinkmanship.”

From The Daily Beast

Both sides are wary of yet another round of brinkmanship and Galston puts the odds of another shutdown at zero.

From The Daily Beast

The Gallup Economic Confidence Index was sandbagged by the October government shutdown and debt-ceiling brinkmanship.

From The Daily Beast

“With each round of brinkmanship, the views [of global investors] are changing,” said Zandi.

From The Daily Beast

In the last few days, investors have opened the Washington Brinkmanship Playbook.

From The Daily Beast