brinkmanship

brinkmanship Definition

☆ brink·man·ship (briŋk′mən s̸hip′)

noun

the policy of pursuing a hazardous course of action to the brink of catastrophe

also brinksmanship brinks′·man·ship′ (briŋks′-)

Etymology: brink + -manship

brinkmanship Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

nuclear: It's another provocative step by the North Koreans in their policy of nuclear brinkmanship.
dangerous: Mr Blair told MPs in the House he was not playing a game of " dangerous brinkmanship " with President Saddam.
political: Under Richard Butler, UNSCOM had indeed allowed itself to become a vehicle for US political brinkmanship and intelligence gathering.
Iranian: Middle East Online 4th Oct 2006 THE latest Iranian brinkmanship on its nuclear hopes is ingenious.

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