# How to end a fight before it escalates

> A psychologist reveals the one phrase that de-escalates arguments almost immediately.
- Title: How to end a fight before it escalates · CNBC | Shortify
- Summary: A psychologist reveals the one phrase that de-escalates arguments almost immediately. Mark Travers, a psychologist who studies couples, says a 'partial…
- Keywords: mark travers, couples, conflict resolution, partial yield, relationships, psychology, business, finance, end, fight, escalates, CNBC
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/make-it/2026/10/11/psychologist-couples-end-fight-before-escalates-partial-yield.html
- Author: Mark Travers, Contributor
- Published: 2026-10-11T12:48:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mark travers, couples, conflict resolution, partial yield, relationships, psychology, business, finance
## Arguments drift into personal attacks
Couples often start discussing a real problem but shift to attacking each other's character. Once the argument becomes about who is more reasonable, it cannot be resolved.
## Mark Travers introduces the partial yield
Mark Travers, a psychologist who studies couples, says a practice called a partial yield prevents arguments from derailing into personal attacks.
## What a partial yield sounds like
You concede the specific piece you are genuinely responsible for without conceding the rest. Examples: "You're right, that part's on me." "I shouldn't have made that decision without talking to you first."

> You're right, that part's on me.
## Why it works almost immediately
When confronted, partners brace for effort to convince you. A partial yield releases that tension. Your partner gets acknowledgment they wanted, and you stay honest without surrendering everything.
## Skipping it creates future problems
If you never take accountability, your partner files it away. They bring it up weeks later in unrelated arguments. Couples who concede small things routinely avoid building up grievances.
## Be specific and avoid the but
Say exactly what you're claiming: "I shouldn't have said it like that in front of your mom." Do not attach a but. "You're right, that part's on me, but you also..." cancels the whole thing.

> You're right, that part's on me, but you also…
## Timing and honesty matter most
Do it early, before grievances pile up. Say it even when you are mostly right. Being mostly right is the most common reason people refuse to concede anything at all.
## Partial yields separate stuck couples
Genuine partial yields are the difference between couples who argue about and solve problems and couples who get stuck arguing about each other, Travers says.
## Key takeaway

Mark Travers, a psychologist who studies couples, says a 'partial yield', admitting your specific fault without conceding everything, stops arguments escalating faster than any other technique.