Mexican standoff
US /ˈmɛksɪkən ˈstændˌɔf/
UK /ˈmɛksɪkən ˈstændˌɔf/
1.
a confrontation in which no party can achieve an advantage or win without suffering a loss
:
•
The negotiations reached a Mexican standoff, with neither side willing to compromise.
•
The three rival gangs found themselves in a Mexican standoff in the alley.