scorched-earth policy en · NOUN
Etymology
See scorched earth.
Meanings
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A strategy that involves destroying buildings, crops, and other resources that could be useful to opponents.
The Ethiopian Army waged a scorched-earth policy with saturation bombings and destruction of Eritrea's infrastructure.
1993 April 24, Donatella Lorch, “Eritreans Voting on Independence From Ethiopia”, in New York Times, retrieved 02 Nov 2013:
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(figuratively) An intentional course of action that is drastic or ruinous.
The scorched-earth policy that voters adopted toward the Tories left them with no seats in Scotland and Wales and greatly reduced numbers through the prosperous swath called Middle England.
1997 May 3, Warren Hoge, “Blair Takes Charge, Vowing 'Practicable' Policies”, in New York Times, retrieved 02 Nov 2013:Group member Graeme Bickerdike said: "With its infilling and demolition programme currently paused, NH has adopted a scorched-earth policy of destroying habitats to ensure there are no ecological barriers to projects resuming quickly when government gives the green light.
2021 November 17, “Network News: National Highways refutes Dorset bridge removal allegations”, in RAIL, number 944, page 26:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| scorched earth policy | alternative | lexicographic | |
| scorched-earth policies | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
scorched earth · scorched-earth
Translations (19)
pl taktyka spalonej ziemi (Translations) · cmn 焦土政策 (Translations) · fr politique de la terre brûlée (Translations) · es política de tierra achicharrada (Translations) · tr yakıp yıkma taktiği (Translations) · sv brända jordens taktik (Translations) · hu felperzselt föld taktikája (Translations) · es política de tierra chamuscada (Translations) · id strategi bumi hangus (Translations) · cs taktika spálené země (Translations) · cmn 堅壁清野 /坚壁清野 (Translations) · de Politik der verbrannten Erde (Translations) · ru тактика выжженной земли (Translations) · uk тактика спаленої землі (Translations) · fi poltetun maan taktiikka (Translations) · eo politiko de bruligita tero (Translations) · de Taktik der verbrannten Erde (Translations) · ro tactica pământului pârjolit (Translations) · ar سِيَاسَةُ الأَرْضِ المَحْرُوقَة (Translations)