head-hunting

British  

noun

1. the practice among certain peoples of removing the heads of slain enemies and preserving them as trophies

2. the recruitment, esp through an agency, of executives from one company to another, often rival, company

3. slang the destruction or neutralization of political opponents

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Other Word Forms

• head-hunter
  noun

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

head-hunting

For R360 - the rebel circuit head-hunting rugby's top players for a divisive globe-trotting franchise league - questions are mounting.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2025

“I do think that they were head-hunting, but I don’t think he meant to try to impose a life-changing injury,” Pittman said.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2023

The Bengals immediately became better when they cut head-hunting linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and they have legitimate talent elsewhere on defense with Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap.

From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2019

"Banks are looking to keep the bulk of their operations in the UK but some are hedging their bets on Germany," said Alex Howard-Keyes, a partner at the London-based international head-hunting firm Alderbrooke.

From Reuters ● Nov. 7, 2016

A little more than a half century ago head-hunting was still common even in the valley of Abra, where it is now practically unknown.

From The Tinguian Social, Religious, and Economic Life of a Philippine Tribe by Cole, Fay-Cooper