Mexican standoff

Mexican standoff

A Mexican standoff is a slang term defined as a stalemate or impasse; a confrontation that neither side can foreseeably win.[1] The term is most often used in lieu of "stalemate" when the confrontational situation is exceptionally dangerous for all parties involved.[citation needed]

In popular culture, the Mexican standoff is usually portrayed as two or more opponents with guns drawn and ready, creating a tense situation. Neither side is willing to shoot for fear of being shot in return, yet neither side wants to relinquish their weapons for fear that their opponents will shoot them. This situation forces the participants to resolve the situation either by diplomacy, surrender, or a pre-emptive strike. Discussions of the Soviet Union – United States nuclear confrontation during the Cold War frequently used the term, specifically in reference to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

In financial circles the Mexican Standoff is typically used to connote a situation where one side wants something, like a concession of some sort, and is offering nothing of value, and the other side sees no value in agreeing to any changes so refuses to negotiate. Although both sides can benefit from the change, neither side can agree to a compensation value for agreeing to the change and nothing is accomplished.

This expression came into usage during the last decade of the 19th century; the Cambridge Dictionary makes an unattributed claim that the term is of Australian origin.[2]

Contents

Usage

The Mexican standoff is now considered a movie cliché through its frequent use as a plot device in motion pictures.

Some examples used in movies include:

Nevertheless, it remains a staple in popular culture because of its potential for high-tension drama.[original research?]

See also

  • Stalemate
  • Polish Parliament
  • Duel
  • Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

References

  1. ^ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Mexican+standoff TheFreeDictionary. "A situation in which no one can emerge as a clear winner." Date accessed: 07 NOV 2010.
  2. ^ "Mexican standoff", Cambridge Dictionary (Cambridge University Press), http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=50247, retrieved 2009-12-19 

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mexican Standoff — Le Mexican standoff (en français, impasse mexicaine ; littéralement, braquage à la mexicaine) est une forme de confrontation que nul ne peut vraiment gagner. La crise des missiles de Cuba en est un bon exemple, mais le Mexican standoff est… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • mexican standoff — When there is a deadlock in strategy and neither side can do anything that will ensure victory, it s a Mexican standoff …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Mexican standoff — ☆ Mexican standoff n. a general stalemate, often with the threat of violent confrontation * * * …   Universalium

  • Mexican standoff — ☆ Mexican standoff n. a general stalemate, often with the threat of violent confrontation …   English World dictionary

  • Mexican standoff — Ein Mexican standoff (übersetzt etwa Mexikanische Pattsituation) ist ein englischer Slangbegriff, der eine Konfrontation beschreibt, die von beiden Seiten nicht gewonnen werden kann.[1] In der Popkultur wird der Mexican standoff repräsentiert… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mexican standoff — noun a situation in which no one can emerge as a clear winner • Hypernyms: ↑situation * * * noun Usage: usually capitalized M : draw 3b, deadlock * * * Mexican standoff noun (US informal) An imp …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mexican standoff — Le Mexican standoff (en français, impasse mexicaine) est une forme de confrontation que nul ne peut vraiment gagner. La crise des missiles de Cuba en est un bon exemple, mais le Mexican standoff est plus présent dans la culture populaire… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mexican Standoff — Ein mexikanisches Unentschieden (genauer: mexikanisches Patt) (englisch mexican standoff ) ist eine Patt Situation, in der keiner der Opponenten gewinnen kann, da jeder den oder die anderen derart in Schach hält, dass niemand mehr einen Zug… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mexican standoff — noun Date: 1891 a situation in which no one emerges a clear winner; also deadlock …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Mexican standoff — noun a) A stalemate, or a confrontation that neither side can win. b) 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… …   Wiktionary

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