psych out
The phrase "psych out" is commonly used in informal settings to describe psychological tactics aimed at unsettling or gaining an advantage over someone.
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Definition
B2Competitive Situations
(informal)To intimidate or frighten someone mentally to gain a competitive edge.
Example
- The coach tried to psych out the opposing team with aggressive tactics.
- She psyched out her opponent by staring intensely before the match.
B2General Use
(informal)To confuse or bewilder someone, causing them to lose confidence or composure.
Example
- The sudden change in plans psyched him out.
- He was psyched out by the unexpected question during the interview.
B2Self-Preparation
(informal)To mentally prepare oneself for a challenging situation using psychological techniques.
Example
- She psyched herself out before the big presentation.
- He took a few moments to psych out before the race.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "psych out":
trip outfreak outmind gamego mentalhead tripwig outspaz outtweak outflip outspace outfar outstress outcool outfunk outmind controltrick outchimp outpunk outspaced outout of one's mindspin outgeek out