slash-and-burn

American  

[slash-uhn-burn] / ˈslæʃ ənˈbɜrn /

adjective

1. of a method of agriculture used in the tropics, in which forest vegetation is felled and burned, the land is cropped for a few years, then the forest is allowed to reinvade.

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slash-and-burn British  

adjective

1. denoting a short-term method of cultivation in which land is cleared by destroying and burning trees and other vegetation for temporary agricultural use

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Etymology

Origin of slash-and-burn

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

But Musk did manage to make the real slash-and-burn artist, Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought, look like a strategic genius by comparison.

From Salon

Musk promised his investors that he'll focus less of his time on his slash-and-burn government agency in the coming months.

From Salon

But with Musk's slash-and-burn tactics, those veterans are being cut off from what is often their very last option for care.

From Salon

Still, in a familiar effort at journalistic balance, Russell cited Reddit forums as a primary factor, writing that "posters are not exactly unbiased" and tend to "advocate a slash-and-burn approach to complex relationships."

From Salon

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders agreed with Elon Musk's hypothetical slash-and-burn approach to government spending in part in a post to X on Sunday.

From Salon