only Nixon can go to China

A form of only Nixon could go to China — Only a politician or leader with an impeccable reputation of upholding particular political values could perform an action in seeming defiance of them without jeopardizing his support or credibility.

Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of only Nixon could go to China.
Cite this entry
APA

only Nixon can go to China. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/only%20Nixon%20can%20go%20to%20China

MLA

“only Nixon can go to China.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/only%20Nixon%20can%20go%20to%20China. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “only Nixon can go to China,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/only%20Nixon%20can%20go%20to%20China.

Source: only Nixon can go to China on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.