From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishwar of nervesˌwar of ˈnerves noun [singular] PMan attempt to make an enemy worried, and to destroy their courage by threatening them, spreading false information etc
Examples from the Corpus
war of nerves• He was engaging in a war of nerves with her, Isabel realised at last, but he didn't remember.• Perhaps, though, it was all part of a war of nerves.• The war of nerves between police and the barricaded guerrillas has escalated in recent days. 