Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
psych-out
verb
/ˈsīk aʊt/
Definition
A psychological tactic used to intimidate or confuse, often in a competitive situation.
Examples
- He tried to psych out his opponent before the big game with trash talk.
- She was so focused on psyching herself out that she forgot to concentrate on her performance.
- The coach’s strategy was to psych out the rival team’s star player.
Meaning
To psych someone out means to mentally unsettle them, causing them to doubt their abilities or decision-making, especially in high-stakes scenarios.
Synonyms
- intimidate
- unsettle
- confuse
- disconcert
