Mexican standoff

noun

, Informal: Sometimes Offensive.

1. a stalemate or impasse; a confrontation that neither side can win.

Sensitive Note

This expression is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by Mexicans. Its origin in the late 19th century may be connected to American perceptions of encounters with Mexican bandits of that era.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mexican standoff¹

First recorded in 1890–95