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

This success so strengthens my power with the staff and the premier that I need not wait on Fabian tactics.

From The Last Shot by Palmer, Frederick

Mrs. Vand scorned such Fabian tactics, and did her best to take by storm the position she felt that her wealth and personality deserved.

From The Solitary Farm by Hume, Fergus

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

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