What Does Scorched Earth Mean

Definition of scorched-earth 1 : relating to or being a military policy involving deliberate and usually widespread destruction of property and resources (such as housing and factories) so that an invading enemy cannot use them. 2 : directed toward victory or supremacy at all costs : ruthless scorched-earth rhetoric.

What does the expression scorched earth mean?

Definition of scorched-earth 1 : relating to or being a military policy involving deliberate and usually widespread destruction of property and resources (such as housing and factories) so that an invading enemy cannot use them. 2 : directed toward victory or supremacy at all costs : ruthless scorched-earth rhetoric.

Where does the term scorched earth come from?

A military strategy of burning or destroying crops or other resources that might be of use to an invading enemy force; the term is first used in English in 1937 in a report of the Sino-Japanese conflict, and is apparently a translation of Chinese jiāotŭ (zhèngcè) ‘scorched earth (policy)’.

Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.

Share this article
Twitter Facebook Pinterest