play chicken

Verb

Meaning

(idiomatic) As a risky test of courage, to drive two vehicles directly toward one another in order to see which driver will swerve away first.

(informal, slang) To engage in a mutual challenge or threat, expecting the opponent to withdraw before an actual conflict or collision.

Examples

Democrats can neither control nor predict whether our GOP counterparts are really ready to play chicken with the U.S. economy. But we can assure the American people that our party takes the nation's faith and credit seriously. Peter Welch

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