play chicken

English

Verb

play chicken (third-person singular simple present plays chicken, present participle playing chicken, simple past and past participle played chicken)

1. (idiomatic) As a risky test of courage, to drive two vehicles directly toward one another in order to see which driver will swerve away first.
2. (informal, slang) To engage in a mutual challenge or threat, expecting the opponent to withdraw before an actual conflict or collision.