scorched earth

• 1. 

  N-UNCOUNT A scorched earth policy is the deliberate burning, destruction, and removal by an army of everything that would be useful to an enemy coming into the area. 焦土(政策); 当敌人进入某处时故意烧毁、破坏及移除任何可能对敌人有用的东西。 [usu N n]

  例：

  He employed a scorched-earth policy, destroying villages and burning crops.

  他采取了焦土政策，摧毁村庄并烧掉了庄稼。