the policy in warfare of removing or destroying everything that might be useful to an invading enemy, esp by fire
commerce a manoeuvre by a company expecting an unwelcome takeover bid in which apparent profitability is greatly reduced by a reversible operation, such as borrowing at an exorbitant interest rate
1935–40; apparently translation of Chinese jiāotǔ zhèngcè
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He can’t run a scorched-earth policy again,” Mr. Emanuel said.
From New York Times ● Nov. 4, 2020
It follows a similar psychological scorched-earth policy, albeit in a more abstract, cerebral key.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2015
Their colour and flamboyance was an antidote to the scorched-earth policy of punk, and it set the tone for the rest of the '80s.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2015
“That was the scorched-earth policy — that they were going to take no prisoners. It made me try everything, and so I tried everything, and we won everything.”
From Washington Post ● Jan. 8, 2015
On this retreat, the Russians practiced a scorched-earth policy.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2012
During hearings last month in the court, lawyers for Nexperia accused Wingtech of a "scorched earth" policy in its bid to wrest control of the company.
From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026
It was one of Amorim's more rational statements in a week when he seemed to be adopting a scorched earth policy such is the rollercoaster his emotional state has been.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2025
This option is the most entertaining for your co-workers, but something of a scorched earth policy, as you will end up in a tribunal.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 30, 2014
“Barring that kind of scorched earth policy, harvest thresholds to preserve social stability within the cougar population are the more responsible and scientifically defensible solution.”
From Salon ● Mar. 9, 2014
At $499 though, Apple pursued a scorched earth policy in tablets.
From Forbes ● Apr. 12, 2011
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
