scorched earth policy

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scorched earth policy noun

1. the policy in warfare of removing or destroying everything that might be useful to an invading enemy, esp by fire
2. 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

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

scorched′-earth′ pol′icy  (skôrcht′ûrth′), 

1. Military a military practice of devastating the property and agriculture of an area before abandoning it to an advancing enemy.

• apparently translation of Chinese jiāotû zhèngcè 1935–40