scorched earth
The term "scorched earth" is used to describe a brutal strategy in warfare where all valuable resources are destroyed to prevent their use by the enemy.
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Definition
C1Military
(technical)A tactic where an army destroys all resources, including infrastructure and crops, to prevent their use by the enemy.
Example
- The retreating forces employed a scorched earth strategy, leaving nothing for the advancing enemy.
C1General
(figurative)A policy of widespread destruction to prevent an opponent from gaining any advantage.
Example
- The company took a scorched earth approach, dismantling everything to stop the competitor from benefiting.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "scorched earth":