hostile environment
The term "hostile environment" can refer to both a sociopolitical policy and a workplace or social setting characterized by antagonistic conditions.
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Definition
C2Sociopolitical
(UK politics, formal)An immigration policy requiring service providers to verify the legal status of clients, often resulting in difficult conditions for undocumented individuals.
Example
- The hostile environment policy has led to increased scrutiny and hardship for many immigrants.
- Critics argue that the hostile environment approach undermines trust in public services.
B2General
(general, informal)A situation or setting where conditions are unfriendly, antagonistic, or inhospitable.
Example
- The desert can be a hostile environment for travelers unprepared for its extreme conditions.
- The new regulations created a hostile environment for small businesses.
C1Workplace
(legal, formal)A setting where unwelcome behavior creates an intimidating, offensive, or abusive atmosphere that disrupts an individual's ability to work.
Example
- She filed a complaint due to the hostile environment created by her colleagues' persistent harassment.
- A hostile environment can severely impact employee morale and productivity.