exit strategy

[ eg-zit strat-i-jee, ek-sit ]

noun

1. a plan for getting out of a difficult or unfavorable situation:

   committing troops without an exit strategy.

2. a plan that maximizes profits when liquidating investments or a business.

exit strategy

noun

1. a method or plan for extricating oneself from an undesirable situation
2. a plan and timetable for withdrawal from a military engagement
3. the method by which an investor intends to cash out of an investment

Word History and Origins

Origin of exit strategy¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Many of them had sent children to foreign schools, purchased foreign homes and prepared exit strategies.

From ProPublica

So I harnessed the last bit of power I had from that night and used it to plan my exit strategy.

From The Daily Beast

At least a plan to the effect of stating some kind of exit strategy, an off-ramp, would be refreshing; I haven't seen one.

From The Daily Beast

Like most of my colleagues, I had never considered an exit strategy.

From The Daily Beast

Its been heavily rumored that NBC was preparing an exit strategy for Leno, whose current contract expires in September 2014.

From The Daily Beast

Hence any ground offensive is of necessity short-lived, with a clear exit strategy.

From The Daily Beast