Meaning of scorched-earth policy | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A strategy that involves destroying buildings, crops, and other resources that could be useful to opponents.
2. An intentional course of action that is drastic or ruinous.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“The Ethiopian Army waged a scorched-earth policy with saturation bombings and destruction of Eritrea's infrastructure.”

“The scorched-earth policy that voters adopted toward the Tories left them with no seats in Scotland and Wales and greatly reduced numbers through the prosperous swath called Middle England.”

“Group member Graeme Bickerdike said: "With its infilling and demolition programme currently paused, NH has adopted a scorched-earth policy of destroying habitats to ensure there are no ecological barriers to projects resuming quickly when government gives the green light.”

CEFR level