brinkmanship

Definition

The pursuit of an advantage by appearing to be willing to take a matter to the brink (for example, by risking a dangerous policy) rather than to concede a point.

Etymology

From brink (“border, edge”) + -manship (suffix denoting expertise, involvement, or special status in an area).

Example Sentences

• "The diplomat accused the other nation’s leader of brinkmanship for refusing to redeploy the troops along their nations’ shared border."
• "They say that in ancient times the Romans used to take cold showers before deciding on important questions. Perhaps, this should be recommended to some excessively ardent supporters of the policy of brinkmanship."
• "We shall probably have several narrow escapes from Cuban-like brinkmanships, and although these will intensify the realisation of the need for a united world system, the inherent distrust and suspicion with which the present generation has been brought up, coupled with the too slow adaptation of politicians to new situations, will prove too great a hindrance."

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