divide and conquer

Idioms  

1. Also,. Win by getting one's opponents to fight among themselves. For example, Divide and conquer was once a very successful policy in sub-Saharan Africa. This expression is a translation of the Latin maxim, Divide et impera (“divide and rule”), and began to appear in English about 1600.

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Example Sentences

And following the divide and conquer playbook of company unions, management could try to make sure this happens as much as possible.

From Salon • Jul. 31, 2024

Hillah, whose great-grandparents died in Auschwitz, is worried about attempts on and off campus to "divide and conquer" communities.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2023

You can then tell him you absolutely need both of you to divide and conquer on these tasks moving forward.

From Slate • Oct. 12, 2023

Beginning with the indigenous Tongva-Gabrielino Tribe, on through poor whites, Chinese and Mexican immigrants and Black Angelenos, Hernández shows how those in power sought to divide and conquer the city.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2023

It all fit in nicely with the packers’ goal to divide and conquer.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield