mind games

American  

plural noun

1. psychological manipulation or strategy, used especially to gain advantage or to intimidate.

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mind games British  

plural noun

1. actions or statements intended to undermine or mislead someone else, often to gain advantage for oneself

   she started playing mind games with me

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Etymology

Origin of mind games

1970–75

Example Sentences

For the next several hours, Nick and Honey serve as unwitting pawns in the older couple’s clever, but vicious, mind games.

From The Wall Street Journal

Phil Pines and Ethan were part of Combs' small group of trusted assistants and say he often played mind games with staff.

From BBC

It's hard to pinpoint the precise moment when mind games began on Lions tours, but we have an impeccable witness in plumping for 1896 in South Africa.

From BBC

The tragedy has witchcraft, sexual mind games, regicide, demonic communication, foul murders and fearsome battle scenes.

From Los Angeles Times

She also read out a poem in response to criticism over her remarks on player-player relationships and admitted to playing "mind games" when she conceded Chelsea had lost the WSL title with defeat by Liverpool.

From BBC