Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun idiomatic, slang A
stalemate , or a confrontation between two or more sides that no side can win. - noun idiomatic A confrontation between two or more armed parties, neither of which wants to attack first (fearing that the other could retaliate), but neither of which will disarm (for fear the other will attack).
- noun rail transport A near-collision between two trains, an averted
cornfield meet .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a situation in which no one can emerge as a clear winner
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
The origin of this expression is uncertain, but it is likely that it arose in the American southwest during the late 1800s. The Cambridge Dictionary makes an unattributed claim that the term is of Australian origin.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Mexican standoff.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.