Fabian tactics

Cultural  

1. To “win like Fabius” or to win by “Fabian tactics” is to wear out an opponent by delay and evasion rather than confrontation, in the style of the ancient Roman general Fabius.

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Example Sentences

Instead, the Russian commander, Mikhail Kutuzov, of necessity adopted Fabian tactics, harassing the invaders but avoiding pitched battle when possible.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2010

Progressing we certainly are, but the devil has adapted the Fabian tactics and is leading us a wild dance through unprofitable deserts.

From Brann the Iconoclast — Volume 12 by Brann, William Cowper

Hannibal hoped to bring on a decisive action, but Marcellus adopted Fabian tactics, and himself headed a cavalry reconnaissance to explore the country between the Roman and the Carthaginian camps. 2-3 Numidis speculator.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund

The plan was a good one, but Kaba Rega, by having recourse to his old Fabian tactics, again baffled it.

From The Life of Gordon, Volume I by Boulger, Demetrius Charles

In Nova Scotia a similar fate was averted only by Tupper's Fabian tactics.

From The Canadian Dominion; a chronicle of our northern neighbor by Skelton, Oscar Douglas