Dictionary

white-ant en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From white ant (“termite”), suggesting the action of termites eating the inside of wooden building foundations, often leaving no outward evidence until the structure begins to crumble.

Meanings

1. (Australia, colloquial) To bring down from within; to undermine.
   • In May 1947, Clark ‘debated’ Edmunds on ABC Radio, the topic: ‘Is communism white-anting our education system?’—a clear invitation for violent disagreement. 2011, Mark McKenna, An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark, page 263:
   • The left was divided between the ALP Club, slowly being white-anted by supporters of the DLP, and a Labour or Socialist Club which disgraced the labour movement by its extremism. 2002, Alan Barcan, Radical Students: The Old Left at Sydney University, page 324:
   • Plans for the Force 7 had officially been announced earlier in ′74, off the back of the P76′s Car of the Year award, before the shortages and poor quality control started white-anting it. 2005, Clinton Walker, Golden Miles: Sex, Speed and the Australian Muscle Car, page 149:
   • If someone undermines you at work you might say they were "white-anting" you.
   • He was always prepared to contest an open ballot, when he viewed runs on the leadership as a free-for-all, but never challenged an incumbent leader. In time, Peacock supporters would accuse Howard of white-anting Peacock′s leadership. 2008, Peter Van Onselen, Wayne Errington, John Winston Howard: The Definitive Biography, page 102:
   • The white-anting of ATSIC has been brought about by the usual suspects.

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