blinked first
Lost the standoff
To blink first is to lose one's nerve in a standoff, backing down before the other party does.
From the childhood staring contest where the first to blink loses.
In negotiations, confrontations, or games of chicken, whoever blinks first concedes: Neither side wanted to blink first in the trade dispute.
The union blinked first and accepted the lower offer.
- staring contestUnblinking visual standoff
- Mexican standoffMultiparty armed deadlock
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- cold feetPre-event loss of confidence
- threw in the towelConceded defeat, stopped trying
lost nerve · chickened out · bit the bullet · hesitation · flinched · negotiation · surrender · ultimatum · resolve · confrontation · capitulation · backed down · gave in · compromise · brinkmanship · retreat · gave up the ghost · indecision
blinked firststood fast
Remained resolutely unmoved
stood one's ground · dug in · held out · stared down · outlasted
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