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.
We had hoped for enlightened self-interest from the social media platforms — that they would see and fix the scorched-earth policy that is destroying the public sphere.
From Washington Post ● May 3, 2021
Privately, some suggest the time has come for a more nuanced approach to replace the scorched-earth policy toward men who have harassed women — one that allows something resembling redemption.
From New York Times ● Apr. 2, 2018
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
The Soviet scorched-earth policy slowed the advance of the German army.
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
Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox and founder of Survivors Against Terror said the new definition was "not the scorched earth policy that we feared a few weeks ago".
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2024
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.
