policy


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Related to policy: public policy

big stick policy

In politics, a policy of attempting peaceful negotiations while also being prepared for confrontation by displaying one's power, especially military force. Associated with US President Theodore Roosevelt, who put these principles into practice and popularized the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick." The big stick policy that Roosevelt used in foreign affairs relied heavily on the military forces he had at his disposal.
See also: big, policy, stick

honesty is the best policy

proverb Telling the truth is always the best course of action, even when being dishonest would be easier or more useful. I think you should just explain what happened, rather than trying to cover your tracks. Honesty is the best policy, after all. Secrets like that will always find their way to the surface, so honesty is definitely the best policy.
See also: best, honesty, policy

open-door policy

1. A policy that one is always available to be of guidance, support, aid, or assistance whenever needed. Said especially by an employer or teacher to an employee or pupil. I know you've been going through some tough times lately, so if you ever need someone to talk to, I want you to know that I have an open-door policy. Mrs. Spencer is a great teacher, and she has an open-door policy if we ever have any questions or fall behind.
2. A governmental border policy that encourages immigration, tourism, trade, and investment. The country's population exploded in the 1980s after it implemented an open-door policy for foreign nationals seeking to establish permanent residence. Our aim is to have an open-door policy with our neighboring nations when it comes to imports and exports.
See also: policy

ostrich policy

The practice of avoiding, or trying to avoid, a particular situation by pretending that it does not exist. The phrase refers to the common but mistaken belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when frightened, so as to avoid being seen. Lou, you can't keep adopt this ostrich policy when it comes your health—please, make an appointment with your doctor and get that rash checked out! The government seems determined to maintain an ostrich policy in relation to the looming troubles many analysts have predicted for the financial markets.
See also: ostrich, policy

policy of pin pricks

A government policy that is regarded as particularly petty. The phrase was first applied to tense relations between England and France at the end of the 19th century. How long do we have to suffer under this policy of pin pricks before they finally repeal it?
See also: of, pin, policy, prick

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."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Honesty is the best policy.

Prov. You should always tell the truth, even when it seems as if it would be useful to tell a lie. Jill: I borrowed Jane's white blouse without asking her, and then I spilled tomato sauce on it. Should I tell her what happened, or should I just put the blouse back in her closet and hope she won't notice? Jane: Honesty is the best policy.
See also: best, honesty, policy
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive ?
In cases in which (1) coverage is clearly provided under the primary policy, and (2) coverage is excluded by implication under the excess policy, the issue arises concerning whether the excess policy was written on a follow form basis.
Bridging the gap
The court thus concluded that strictly interpreting the time limitation in the policy under such circumstances would lead to an unjust result and would restrict unreasonably the policy's coverage to a small number of disabilities: "Such a very limited and highly technical construction of an insurance contract cannot be foisted onto a layman nor does it make any sense in terms of the risks insured against."
Trusting in nature: some courts are relying on the laws of nature, not policy time-limit provisions, to determine when an insured's injuries become disabling
The equity component over the long run has consistently outperformed inflation." Because of the risk involved and the time needed to mitigate that risk, Raiford does not recommend a variable universal policy for those aged 60 and older.
Insuring your wealth: the right insurance policy can help you build and protect your assets
The public internet address policy, which makes it possible to track, register, and regularly scan the computers that are accessible from the internet, was also welcomed by the SLs.
Business continuity planning: George Mason University's executive enterprise risk management approach has helped in building responses to "what-if" scenarios
Once we understand the necessity of including a make-up policy in our written policy sheet, the next step is to decide on the specifics.
It's [beginning strikethrough]none of[end strikethrough] all your business: make-up policies--magic or misery
At a time when China's global current account surplus is already huge and increasing and when growth of China's bank lending and its monetary aggregates are once again considerably above their targets, this would be precisely the wrong policy prescription.
Paulson's first challenge: can the new U.S. Treasury chief confront China's currency manipulation?
Are the terms of coverage ever negotiated, or will the company be forced to accept the carrier's standard form policy language?
D & O for private companies: answers to common questions
Congress and the Bush administration have not done enough to create a national ocean policy and to strengthen NOAA to the point that it can serve as the lead ocean agency, according to the report card, which gives leaders a D+ in the category of national ocean governance reform.
U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card
These are the ones who transmit and translate the significance of Jewish voting numbers and advise on policy matters during election campaigns in such a way as to marginalize Arab-American voting power.
Janice J. Terry. U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East: The Role of Lobbies and Special Interest Groups
In addition, each employee was informed of the purpose of the P policies, consented to be insured and designated P as the policy's beneficiary.
Employer has insurable interest in employees
By bringing these diverse perspectives together in one volume, Kennett has made major contribution to the comparative study of social policy. The book will undoubtedly serve as a major resource for social policy scholars, and the editor is to be commended for taking on what must have been a herculean task.
Patricia Kennett (Ed.), A Handbook of Comparative Social Policy
As a result of the review, I will provide an implementation summary to the USD(AT & L) with recommendations for policy improvements and adjustments to current delegation authority consistent with the management practice reported during the review.
Subject: Acquisition of Services Policy Review
Internationally, career guidance is now higher on the public policy agenda than ever before.
Career guidance policy: an international review
A life settlement turns insurance assets into cash, giving the original policyholder an amount greater than the cash surrender value in exchange for ownership of the policy. This option creates immediate revenue for companies or individuals holding unprofitable or unneeded policies.
Turn unneeded policies into cash: a life settlement can be a better alternative than surrendering a policy
1967--Release of Record of Policy Actions after Ninety Days
Background on FOMC meeting minutes
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