adjective: (idiomatic) suspenseful, involving alternating roles of attack and defence.
verb: (intransitive) To mutually monitor and challenge each other in an attempt to gain advantage.
verb: (transitive) To toy with (one's victim).
noun: Alternative form of cat and mouse [A relationship in which two parties closely monitor and challenge one another in a suspicious or self-protective manner, often because each party is attempting to gain an advantage over the other.]