Meaning of the terrorists will have won | Babel Free

Definitions

Phrase used to indicate that if a specified activity is not continued or carried out, those who seek to disrupt normal activities through terror will have succeeded, which is an unacceptable result.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“If you throttle the free press, the terrorists will have won.”

“If governments overact and become oppressive, the terrorists will have won, for their theory is that repression will eventually lead to revolution.”

“If we have to wear sweaters and turn down our thermostat, the terrorists will have won.”

CEFR level