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

Thus greatly outnumbered, Maceo wisely resorted not so much to guerrilla warfare as to what may be called Fabian tactics.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher

These Fabian tactics as regards open warfare do not mean that the Senussi are idle.

From The Rising Tide of Color Against White World-Supremacy by Stoddard, Lothrop

A second campaign by the king in the autumn was defeated, like that of the previous year, through bad weather and the Fabian tactics of the Welsh.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various

They were not to go into actual battle, except near their own sectors, till the third monster drive, in July, for General Foch makes a religion of the reserve army and Fabian tactics.

From Our Army at the Front by Broun, Heywood