a battle of nerves
a battle of nerves
Psychological warfare used to wear down an adversary's resolve through fear tactics. Election cycles have become a battle of nerves as both parties continually try to scare the voters into electing their representative.
a battle/war of nerves
a situation in which two competing groups of people try to defeat each other by frightening and threatening each other without taking action This has become a battle of nerves with neither side seeming willing to back down.