# Nixon in China

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/nixon-in-china
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Suggesting the ability of a politician with an unassailable reputation among his or her supporters for representing and defending their values to take actions that would draw their criticism and even opposition if taken by someone without those credentials.

## Examples

- Only a conservative leader could pass this law, a real Nixon in China moment.
- The environmentalist president surprised everyone by supporting the new oil pipeline, a classic case of Nixon in China.
- By advocating for a policy he once vehemently opposed, the senator demonstrated a Nixon in China strategy, leveraging his long-standing reputation to shield himself from his party's potential backlash.

## Origin

The phrase refers to the 1972 visit by U.S. President Richard Nixon to the People's Republic of China. Nixon’s established reputation for unyielding opposition to Communism provided the necessary political cover for the establishment of direct diplomatic relations, as his credentials ensured the gesture could not be mistaken for ideological weakness. The idiom persists as a shorthand for an action that can only be performed by a figure whose history suggests they would be the very last person to attempt it.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.