slash and burn

slash-and-burn

1. Relating to an agricultural tactic in which forest or other vegetation cut down to the ground and burned, the land planted and cultivated with crops for a few years, then abandoned to allow the forest grow back. The slash-and-burn practice has become ever more frequent in this region, but with less and less areas being allowed to regrow the forests each year, there are concerns that the damage may become irreparable.
2. By extension, extremely and drastically destructive. Several of the country's biggest corporations have had to undergo slash-and-burn dismantlings of many of their offices in efforts to salvage their businesses.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

slash and burn

 
1. Lit. of a farming technique where vegetation is cut down and burned before crops are planted. (Hyphenated before nominals.) The small farmers' slash-and-burn technique destroyed thousands of acres of forest.
2. Fig. of a crude and brash way of doing something. (Hyphenated before nominals.) The new manager's method was strictly slash and burn. He looks decisive to his boss and merciless to the people he fires.
See also: and, burn, slash
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • slash-and-burn
  • be burnt to a crisp
  • crisp
  • soft fire makes sweet malt
  • burn away
  • thin out
  • the (something) card
  • a little green
  • hack (one's) way through (something)
  • hack way through
References in periodicals archive
In the small Central American country of Belize, NGOs are working with farmers to help them move away from slash and burn agriculture and toward more sustainable crop production.
In Belize, farmers turn away from slash and burn agriculture
The Eastern Spider Orchid population on WHNCR is monitored regularly as part of the study by DSE and does not appear to be detrimentally affected by the slash and burn management.
A trial of slash and burn management of coast tea-tree Leptospermum laevigatum on Wonthaggi Heathland
SLASH AND BURN FEARS: Brendan Barber in Liverpool, where the TUC Congress opens tomorrow, fears unemployment could lead to a "broken" Britain
'4M JOBLESS IN BROKEN BRITAIN' Unions' warning on 'slash and burn economics'
Because it is a war, he uses all weapons available to him and reading his essays calls to mind the slash and burn tactics of guerrilla soldiers.
Reed, Ishmael. Another day at the front; dispatches from the race war
aid, the Colombian Army hopes to slash and burn the source of the militias' illicit wealth--cocaine and heroin operations.
"Mami" Warbucks
The impact of the Reform-minded Premier, Mike Harris, and his slash and burn politics of privatization are cutting deep into the bone.
"Now is the winter of our discontent" (OAC funding)
The environmental damage produced by pre-Columbian agriculture around Lake Patzcuaro equals that generated by ancient Maya "slash and burn" farming techniques in Central American forests more than 1;000 years ago, according to the scientists.
Study erodes image of pre-Columbian farmers
BUSINESSES should not "slash and burn" to survive the economic recession but should invest in staff and ensure customer service is better than ever.
YOUR MONEY: Biz Bureau - BIZ NEWS.
Don't run around like headless chickens and use slash and burn to make cost savings in the short term.
Don't let credit crunch force you to cut staff, says Acas chief; Trade unionist cautions employers FINANCIAL CRISIS
FAVOURITE backers were left reeling in the second maiden hurdle on the card when 8-11 market leader Slash And Burn parted company with his rider at the start.
Horse Racing: Disaster for punters as favourite unseats at start; CLONMEL
Last night, a union leader accused the company of adopting a "slash and burn" policy.
Computer staff fear for jobs; Cuts planned at Warrington
Biomass burning -- the combustion of organic matter in forest fires, wood stoves and "slash and burn" land clearing -- may contribute far less nitrous oxide to the atmosphere than previously thought, a team of U.S.
Fresh smoke lowers nitrous oxide estimate
PADDY POWER are refunding all losing bets on the odds-on Slash And Burn in the Powers town Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.
Horse Racing: TRADING REPORT
UNION bosses last night slammed Hewlett-Packard for taking a "slash and burn" approach to British jobs as nearly 1,000 staff waited for the axe to fall.
Your Money: Hew and cry; U.S. GIANT'S JOB CUTS SPARK FURY
The Manufacturing Science Finance union, which represents ICL workers, called on the company to implement a Japanese-style plan to retain key skills rather than the "slash and burn" approach common in the West.
Suzy in the City: Jobs hell at ICL; 900 FACE AXE IN FUJITSU FALLOUT