scorched-earth policy
[ skawrcht-urth ]
/ ˈskɔrtʃtˈɜrθ /
noun
a military practice of devastating the property and agriculture of an area before abandoning it to an advancing enemy.
Origin of scorched-earth policy
1935–40; apparently translation of Chinese
jiāotǔ zhèngcè
Words nearby scorched-earth policy
scopus,
scorbutic,
scorbutigenic,
scorch,
scorched earth policy,
scorched-earth policy,
scorcher,
scorching,
scordatura,
scordinema,
score
British Dictionary definitions for scorched earth policy
scorched earth policy
noun
the policy in warfare of removing or destroying everything that might be useful to an invading enemy, esp by fire
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