Mexican standoff

as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in in the battle over bedtime the parents and their son are at a Mexican standoff

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of Mexican standoff This week, Todd S. Purdum, a longtime political reporter for The New York Times, explains why Democrats have only themselves to blame for the Mexican standoff they’re now locked in with a very stubborn octogenarian. airmail.news, 13 July 2024 This is going to be a Mexican standoff relationship. Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2022 Ahmet Şık, a former journalist and an opposition MP, likened the situation to a Mexican standoff, a confrontation in which no strategy exists that allows any party to achieve victory. Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 24 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Mexican standoff
Noun
  • The Celtics outscored it 30-18 as the Magic’s offense ground to a halt.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Vehicles on every road in Israel come to a halt and drivers emerge from their cars or trucks to stand at attention.
    Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mexican standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Mexican%20standoff. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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