scorched-earth policy
2
8.0
- noun
- /ˈskɔːrʧt ˈɜrθ ˈpɑlɪsi/
- Literature
:
política de tierra quemada
- These refugees told of the armed forces of Liberia employing a "scorched earth" policy in their efforts to put down the rebels.
Examples
-
In their wake, the rebels left a scorched-earth policy that devastated the local economy and resources.
-
Burning for revenge, the men interpreted General Order No. 11 as a scorched-earth policy.
Academic text (2010) -
I pray I am wrong, but I sense he will not go quietly, choosing instead a scorched earth policy.
Blog text (28) -
When the Republican Party doesn't hold the Oval Office, they adopt a scorched earth policy toward the administration.
Blog text (24) -
She adopted a scorched earth policy by having all the standing crops destroyed in order to deprive the Arab army of any sustenance from the land.
Fiction book (2000) -
The army implemented a scorched-earth policy, destroying crops and infrastructure to hinder enemy progress.
-
During the conflict, both sides resorted to a scorched-earth policy to deprive their opponents of vital supplies.
How Destructive
- Offensive
147
7.7
- Literature
2
8.0
- Specialized
1
7.1
348
7.0
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
scorched-earth + policy
The phrase transparently combines 'scorched earth' (land that has been burned/destroyed) with 'policy' (a planned course of action), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a plan to destroy resources so an opponent cannot use them. This compositional logic is common cross-linguistically (e.g. 'tierra quemada') and therefore accessible to a B1 learner who knows the component words.
Etymology
Scorched-earth policy comes from armies burning crops and buildings as they moved back, literally leaving the earth scorched so the enemy could not find food or shelter. That's why it now means 'destroying your own resources on purpose so an enemy or opponent cannot use them', even if it hurts you too.