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

See Examples For:

divide and conquer

"I think that there's a strategy to divide and conquer and to create a very contrived confusion," he argues.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Harris said while some use fear to divide and conquer, the animals demonstrated the power of standing together.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2025

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

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

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

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