World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesPlay Chicken
/pleɪ ˈʧɪkən/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To engage in a risky confrontation or challenge where one party attempts to intimidate the other into backing down.
"The two companies decided to play chicken with their pricing strategies, each hoping the other would cave first." - 2
To act recklessly in a situation that could lead to dangerous consequences.
"The teenagers played chicken by racing their bikes down the steep hill."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The term 'play chicken' originated in the United States in the early 20th century, derived from the game of chicken, where two drivers head towards each other at high speed, and the first to swerve is considered the 'chicken.' The phrase has evolved to describe any situation where individuals engage in a risky confrontation to see who will back down first.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Play Chicken"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Play Chicken" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
jouer au poulet
Transliteration: zhweʁ o py.le
"Ils ont décidé de jouer au poulet avec leurs voitures."
Hühnchen spielen
Transliteration: hynʧən ˈʃpiːlən
"Sie haben beschlossen, Hühnchen zu spielen, während sie die Straße überquerten."
giocare a pollo
Transliteration: dʒoˈkaːre a ˈpɔllo
"Hanno deciso di giocare a pollo con le loro moto."
jugar a gallina
Transliteration: xuˈɣaɾ a ɡaˈʝina
"Decidieron jugar a gallina en la carretera."
brincar de galinha
Transliteration: bɾĩˈkaʁ dʒi ɡaˈliɲɐ
"Eles decidiram brincar de galinha enquanto andavam de bicicleta."
चिकन खेलना
Transliteration: chikn khelna
"उन्होंने सड़क पर चिकन खेलने का फैसला किया।"
玩鸡
Transliteration: wán jī
"他们决定在街上玩鸡。"
치킨 게임하다
Transliteration: chikin geimhada
"그들은 도로에서 치킨 게임을 하기로 결정했다."
チキンをする
Transliteration: chikin o suru
"彼らは道路でチキンをすることに決めた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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