scorched-earth
1. Of or describing a military strategy or policy in which anything of potential use to an enemy is targeted for destruction. The country's army operated a scorched-earth policy, burning farms, bombing food stores, and poisoning water supplies to drive enemy forces out of the region.
2. Of or describing a strategy of attacking anything and everything related to one's opponents or enemies. The senator's scorched-earth reelection campaign has resulted in caustic, bile-ridden attacks on every facet of his opponent's career, policies, and even her personal life.
3. Of or describing a financial strategy of selling a company's most lucrative assets or acquiring a large amount of debt, so as to discourage a takeover. A: "I hear the CEO is seriously considering abandoning the takeover bid now, in light of all the debt the target company has." B: "I guess their scorched-earth tactics really worked then."
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