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

These Fabian tactics do not mean that the Sennussi are idle.

From The New World of Islam by Stoddard, Lothrop

The plan was a good one, but Kaba Rega, by having recourse to his old Fabian tactics, again baffled it.

From The Life of Gordon, Volume I by Boulger, Demetrius Charles

They were not to go into actual battle, except near their own sectors, till the third monster drive, in July, for General Foch makes a religion of the reserve army and Fabian tactics.

From Our Army at the Front by Broun, Heywood

Thus greatly outnumbered, Maceo wisely resorted not so much to guerrilla warfare as to what may be called Fabian tactics.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher