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A '''Mexican standoff''' is a [[stalemate]] or [[impasse]] involving more than two people. It is distinct from a normal standoff in that it involves more than two parties, in contrast to a traditional standoff which involves two opposing sides.
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A '''Mexican standoff''' is a [[stalemate]] or [[impasse]], a confrontation that neither side can seemingly win. In [[popular culture]], the Mexican standoff is usually portrayed as two or more opponents with [[gun]]s aimed at each other at close range. Exacerbating the tension is that neither side wants to put down its weapons for fear that its opponents will shoot them. This situation forces the participants to resolve the situation either by diplomacy, surrender, or a preemptive strike.


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In [[popular culture]], the Mexican standoff is usually portrayed as multiple opponents with [[gun]]s aimed at each other at close range. Exacerbating the tension is that neither side wants to put down its weapons for fear that its opponents will shoot them.
Discussions of the [[Soviet Union]]-[[United States]] [[nuclear weapon|nuclear]] confrontation during the [[Cold War]] frequently used the term, specifically in reference to the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] of [[1962]]. Achieving such a standoff indefinitely is one of the goals of the doctrine of [[mutual assured destruction]].


This expression came into usage during the last decade of the [[19th century]], most likely originating in the [[Southwestern United States|American Southwest]], although the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary claims that the term is of Australian origin.[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=50247] One possibility is that it may relate to the difficult and paradoxical social and economic conditions of 19th and early [[20th century]] [[Mexico]].
This expression came into usage during the last decade of the [[19th century]], most likely originating in the [[Southwestern United States|American Southwest]], although the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary claims that the term is of Australian origin.[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=50247] One possibility is that it may relate to the difficult and paradoxical social and economic conditions of 19th and early [[20th century]] [[Mexico]].

Revision as of 08:38, 22 August 2007

A Mexican standoff is a stalemate or impasse involving more than two people. It is distinct from a normal standoff in that it involves more than two parties, in contrast to a traditional standoff which involves two opposing sides.

In popular culture, the Mexican standoff is usually portrayed as multiple opponents with guns aimed at each other at close range. Exacerbating the tension is that neither side wants to put down its weapons for fear that its opponents will shoot them.

This expression came into usage during the last decade of the 19th century, most likely originating in the American Southwest, although the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary claims that the term is of Australian origin.[1] One possibility is that it may relate to the difficult and paradoxical social and economic conditions of 19th and early 20th century Mexico.

The Mexican standoff is now considered a movie cliché due to its frequent use in Spaghetti Westerns and action movies.

  • The comedy series Stella parodied the Mexican Standoff in the episode "Camping".
  • The Wachowski Brothers incorporated a Mexican standoff in The Matrix Revolutions. Trinity, Morpheus, and Seraph are attempting to bargain for Neo's life with the Merovingian in Club Hel. When made an offer they cannot accept, Trinity begins a brawl, grabs a gun, and points it directly at the Merovingian's forehead. All others in the room have a gun pointed at them, one at another.
  • An episode of King of the Hill involves bounty hunter Dale Gribble and his target slowly reaching for their rifles on the floor. As soon as they each grab their respective rifles, they notice that the other is holding a rifle. Frightened by each other, they simultaneously drop their rifles to the floor again.
  • In an episode of Cowboy Bebop, Spike Spiegel and Vicious perform a Mexican standoff wielding a gun and a katana, respectively. In the resolution of the situation, both sides wound up wounded.
  • John Woo incorporates Mexican Standoffs in most of his films, allowing it to become a trademark of his movies (as in Face/Off where John Travolta and Nicholas Cage end a long running gunfight with their pistols pointed at each other at close range).
  • On the television show Veronica Mars, a sleep-deprived Veronica (Kristen Bell) mentions having a Mexican Standoff with the Sandman.

See also

Look up mexican standoff in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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