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.

See also: battle, nerve, of

a war of nerves

Psychological warfare used to wear down an adversary's resolve through fear tactics. The dictator's threats against the sovereign nation he was trying to conquer became a war of nerves as the citizens worried about the future of their country.

See also: nerve, of, war