brinkmanship

[ bringk-muhn-ship ]

/ ˈbrɪŋk mənˌʃɪp /

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noun

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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Also brinks·man·ship

[bringks-muhn-ship]. /ˈbrɪŋks mənˌʃɪp/.

Origin of brinkmanship

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brinkmanship in a sentence

Sure, budget brinksmanship and Hillary presidential hints are a given.
Obamacare, Impeachment, Iran, and More Political Predictions for 2014|Michael Tomasky|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was a product of Republican brinksmanship over the debt ceiling, and a near-fanatical desire for spending cuts.
The Right-Wing is Furious Over Obama's Imaginary Attack on Military Families|Jamelle Bouie|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The simple fact is that, outside of the South and a few other areas, Tea Party extremism and brinksmanship is deeply unpopular.
Mike Lee Has Gone Too Far For Utah|Jamelle Bouie|October 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The latest round of brinksmanship, which is still not over, is likely to prove very damaging to the economy.
A Debt Deal Won’t Save Us|Daniel Gross|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The debt-ceiling brinksmanship and government shutdown are pure Republican enterprises.
The Starbucks Shutdown Petition Is Baloney|Daniel Gross|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The situation made the "Brinksmanship" of former Secretary Dulles look as safe as loafing in an easy-chair.
Damned If You Don't|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for brinkmanship

brinkmanship

/ (ˈbrɪŋkmənˌʃɪp) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for brinkmanship

brinkmanship

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.