brinkmanship: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, journalistic, academic, political
Quick answer
What does “brinkmanship” mean?
The practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics or international relations, in order to gain an advantage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics or international relations, in order to gain an advantage.
A tactic in any high-stakes negotiation or confrontation where one party deliberately escalates risk to the point of disaster to force the other party to back down. Can apply to business, sports, or personal conflicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is consistent. The term is equally understood in both geopolitical contexts.
Connotations
Strongly associated with the Cold War (e.g., Cuban Missile Crisis). In UK contexts, might be used in domestic political stalemates (e.g., Brexit negotiations). In US contexts, often linked to nuclear deterrence and foreign policy.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US media and political science discourse due to its origins in Cold War US foreign policy analysis, but common in UK quality press.
Grammar
How to Use “brinkmanship” in a Sentence
[engage in/play/resort to] brinkmanshipthe brinkmanship of [person/nation]accuse [someone] of brinkmanshipa dangerous game/policy of brinkmanshipVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brinkmanship” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of brinkmanning during the trade talks.
- They brinkmanned their way through the crisis.
American English
- The CEO brinkmanned the union into accepting the deal.
- He's known for brinkmanning in every contract negotiation.
adverb
British English
- He negotiated brinkmanningly, raising the stakes daily.
- The team acted brinkmanningly in the final minutes.
American English
- She played the game brinkmanningly, refusing to blink first.
- They managed the crisis brinkmanningly.
adjective
British English
- His brinkmanship tactics were widely condemned.
- A brinkmanship strategy.
American English
- Her brinkmanship approach to the budget debate failed.
- A classic brinkmanship move.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describes aggressive negotiation tactics where a company threatens bankruptcy or market exit to gain concessions.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and game theory to analyse conflict strategy.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in arguments, e.g., 'Your constant brinkmanship over household chores is exhausting.'
Technical
In game theory, a specific strategy of credible commitment to a dangerous course to gain advantage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brinkmanship”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brinkmanship”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brinkmanship”
- Misspelling as 'brinksmanship' (less common variant). Using it for simple risk-taking without the element of forcing an opponent to concede. Confusing it with 'blackmail'—brinkmanship involves mutual risk.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was coined in the 1950s during the Cold War, from 'brink' (edge) + '-manship' (as in 'craftsmanship'). It is famously associated with US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, who spoke of going 'to the brink' of war to achieve objectives.
Primarily yes. It is seen as a reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible strategy. However, some realists in politics argue it can be a necessary, if perilous, tool of deterrence when dealing with an aggressive adversary.
All brinkmanship is a form of negotiation, but it is an extreme subtype. Standard negotiation seeks compromise. Brinkmanship seeks to win by intentionally creating and threatening a mutually harmful outcome, betting the other side will fold first out of fear.
Yes, though it's most common in politics/IR. It can describe high-risk tactics in business (e.g., debt negotiations), law (e.g., settlement talks before a ruinous trial), or even sports (e.g., an all-or-nothing play in the final seconds).
The practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics or international relations, in order to gain an advantage.
Brinkmanship is usually formal, journalistic, academic, political in register.
Brinkmanship: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪŋkmənʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪŋkmənˌʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Playing with fire”
- “Tempting fate”
- “A game of chicken”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'brink' (edge of a cliff) and 'manship' (skill). It's the skill of walking right to the edge of disaster without falling off.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS / CONFLICT IS A GAME OF CHICKEN played at the edge of a cliff. DANGER IS A PRECIPICE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'brinkmanship' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?