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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

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

The putting down of piracy, and the suppressing of the terrible custom of head-hunting among the Dyaks, were the first steps that Sir James Brooke took in civilizing his subjects.

From Children of Borneo by Edwin Herbert Gomes

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