headhunting

[hed-huhn-ting]

noun

1. (among certain primitive peoples) the practice of hunting hunting down and decapitating victims and preserving their heads heads as trophies.

2. the act or practice of actively searching for new employees, especially for professionals or executives.

   Every June the electronics manufacturers go headhunting among the newly graduated engineers.

3. the act or practice of firing without cause, especially someone disliked.

   Their periodic headhunting was a contributing factor in the company's failures.

4. the act or practice of trying to destroy the power, position, or influence of one's competitors or foes.

   Headhunting is ferocious in advertising.

Word History and Origins

Origin of headhunting¹

First recorded in 1850–55; head + hunting

Example Sentences

I might be depositing fake checks or working for the “postal service” or headhunting.

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But he said he heard about the search as soon as headhunting firm Korn Ferry started making calls several weeks ago.

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As I reported at the time, his name came to the Board of Governors independently of a headhunting firm that the board had commissioned to find candidates for postmaster general.

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A Northern California headhunting firm was hired last month conduct a nationwide search for the city’s next top cop, a process that is expected to last through August.

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Los Angeles officials have hired a Northern California-based headhunting firm to identify and vet candidates to be the next chief of police.

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