scorched earth

基本解释

Opposition activists said Syrian troops had adopted a scorched earth policy in Jisr al-Shughour.
反对派活动积极分子称，叙利亚军队对吉斯尔•舒古尔(Jisr al-Shughour)实施了焦土政策。
Even an AT&T move would likely be seen as "scorched earth" policy as it would encourage other carriers to cut prices and give customers little reason to switch networks but still hurt revenues.
此前AT&T曾鼓励其它的运营商学习自己，降低手机的网络服务费，以保证自己的客户不会转而选择其它的运营商，不过这种做法被业界普遍认为是一种弊大于利的 “焦土政策” 。
cnbeta.com
He abandoned theories like scorched earth in the forest.
他放弃了一个个像林中焦土似的学说。

The ONLF accused the troops of conducting a 'scorched earth' campaign, a claim that was strongly denied by the government.

Pereda took a sip—it tasted of scorched earth and stones—and left the glass on the bench.
NEWYORKER: The Insufferable Gaucho
Despite the legal scorched earth, there could still be a deal between the two warring moguls.
FORBES: Diller Won't Go Quietly From IAC
In April, Otellini set in motion the most extensive restructuring in two decades for Intel (See "Scorched Earth").
FORBES: Otellini To Cash Some Of Intel's Chips?

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.