destruction

mass destruction

Widespread death and devastation. If they launch a nuclear attack against us, it will cause mass destruction.
See also: destruction, mass

wreak (something) on (someone or something)

To cause a lot of something very bad to happen to someone or something. Used especially with "destruction," "havoc," and "vengeance." This humidity is wreaking havoc on my hair. The twister wreaked untold destruction on the tiny town. She swore she would wreak vengeance on the man who double-crossed her.
See also: on, wreak

wreak (something) upon (someone or something)

To cause a lot of something very bad to happen to someone or something. Used especially with "destruction," "havoc," and "vengeance." This humidity is wreaking havoc upon my hair. The twister wreaked untold destruction upon the tiny town.
See also: upon, wreak
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

weapons of mass destruction

Also, WMD. Weapons that can greatly harm or kill large numbers of people and/or severely damage man-made structures or the biosphere. The term was first used by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1937 with reference to the aerial bombardment of Guernica, Spain. Less than a decade later, the term was applied to nonconventional weapons, specifically nuclear weapons. During the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the term was used by President John F. Kennedy, referring to nuclear missiles. Fearing Iraq’s use of nuclear weapons, the alleged existence of such weapons became the main justification for the 2003 invasion of that country. By then, the term was so well known and so often abbreviated that it was on its way to clichédom.
See also: destruction, mass, of, weapon
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • have no cause to (do something)
  • have cause to (do something)
  • have cause to do
  • deal a death blow
  • mess with (one's) head
  • mess with someone's head
  • cause trouble
  • bring (something) crashing down (around) (one)
  • bring crashing down
  • give cause for (something)
References in classic literature
That climate acts in main part indirectly by favouring other species, we may clearly see in the prodigious number of plants in our gardens which can perfectly well endure our climate, but which never become naturalised, for they cannot compete with our native plants, nor resist destruction by our native animals.
For in such cases, we may believe, that a plant could exist only where the conditions of its life were so favourable that many could exist together, and thus save each other from utter destruction. I should add that the good effects of frequent intercrossing, and the ill effects of close interbreeding, probably come into play in some of these cases; but on this intricate subject I will not here enlarge.
All that we can do, is to keep steadily in mind that each organic being is striving to increase at a geometrical ratio; that each at some period of its life, during some season of the year, during each generation or at intervals, has to struggle for life, and to suffer great destruction. When we reflect on this struggle, we may console ourselves with the full belief, that the war of nature is not incessant, that no fear is felt, that death is generally prompt, and that the vigorous, the healthy, and the happy survive and multiply.
The Origin of Species
As he said, had he dreamed that he was ever to be discovered he would have worked more rapidly and accomplished a thousand times the destruction he did.
The Strength of the Strong
Summary: The global Sharps Destruction Devices Market is apprehended to see impressive growth in the near future due to present successful models and new product innovations.
Sharps Destruction Device Market Trends, Opportunities & Growth Forecast during 2017-2026
FOLLOWING the massive destruction of billboards and campaign posters of candidates in some local governments across the state, Ebonyi state government yesterday announced that it will embark on three-day sensitisation against ongoing destruction of campaign posters and billboards of candidates for the forthcoming general election.
Ebonyi To Embark On 3-Day Sensitisation Against Billboards, Posters Destruction a Ugbala
Oman has completed the destruction of its stockpile of anti-personnel mines according to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC).
OMAN DESTROYS ITS ENTIRE STOCKPILE OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES BEFORE DEADLINE
BAGHDAD, IRAQ (NINA) - The Joint Operations Command announced the destruction of 50 targets and a number of caches and caves used as terrorist hideouts in the Hamrin Mountains Range.
JOC: 50 Targets And A Number Of Vehicles Destroyed In Hamrin Mountains Range
Marley the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had already attacked children and a destruction order had been made early last year.
Council says sorry for dog ban blunder; IN BRIEF
Now it can be revealed the order issued by magistrates for the dog to be put down failed to stipulate who should carry out the destruction - so no one did.
Court sorry after error allowed dog to rampage
An air traffic controller at the Charlotte International Airport, North Carolina, was arrested for allegedly being in possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
Charlotte Air Traffic Controller Charged For Possessing Weapon Of Mass Destruction
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iraqi Air Force announced in a statement on Monday the destruction of the ISIL explosives factory in Hawija city in Western Kirkuk province.
Iraqi Air Force Destroys ISIL Bomb Factory in Hawija
by ONA The laboratory provides all solutions and services for the secure destruction of paper and electronic documents and similar to all government agencies, companies, private institutions and individuals.
Sayyid Haitham inaugurates NRAA Secure Document Destruction Lab in Oman