scorched-earth policy

[ skawrcht-urth ]

noun

1. a military practice of devastating the property and agriculture of an area before abandoning it to an advancing enemy.

scorched earth policy

noun

1. the policy in warfare of removing or destroying everything that might be useful to an invading enemy, esp by fire
2. commerce a manoeuvre by a company expecting an unwelcome takeover bid in which apparent profitability is greatly reduced by a reversible operation, such as borrowing at an exorbitant interest rate

Word History and Origins

Origin of scorched-earth policy¹

1935–40; apparently translation of Chinese jiāotǔ zhèngcè

Example Sentences

The intent of Trump allies to open the property to timber harvest is just part of a “scorched-earth policy with regard to all public lands,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

"Everything is being destroyed. This is a scorched-earth policy."

From Reuters

The scorched-earth policy played an important role in Ukraine’s success in holding off Russian forces in the north and preventing them from capturing Kyiv, the capital, military experts said.

From Seattle Times

“It’s a first step to them ultimately having more of a scorched-earth policy and getting totally out of Russia,” he predicted.

From Washington Post

To prevent protesters from communicating and sharing information, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan’s president, turned to a digital scorched-earth policy akin to one in Myanmar last year that took the entire internet offline.

From New York Times