mind game

mind game

n. An act of calculated psychological manipulation, done especially to confuse or intimidate.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	mind game - any game designed to exercise the intellectgame - an amusement or pastime; "they played word games"; "he thought of his painting as a game that filled his empty time"; "his life was all fun and games"
	2.	mind game - deliberate actions of calculated psychological manipulation intended to intimidate or confuse (usually for competitive advantage); "football players try to play mind games with the opposition"; "the jeweler's mind game is to convince lovers that the size of a gemstone reflects the depth of their feelings"manipulation, use - exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage; "his manipulation of his friends was scandalous"