In the text, the publishing company Houghton Mifflin was able to thwart Western Pacific's takeover bid by threatening to release its best-selling authors from their contractual obligations. This is an example of:
A) Tit-for-tat.
B) Burning bridges.
C) Scorched earth.
D) Dirty pool.
E) Answers a, b and c are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "scorched earth" refers to a strategy where a party makes itself less attractive or valuable to prevent or discourage a takeover or acquisition, similar to the historical military strategy of destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy. In this context, Houghton Mifflin's threat to release its best-selling authors from their contracts to avoid a takeover by Western Pacific is an example of a scorched earth defense strategy.

In the Text, the Publishing Company Houghton Mifflin Was Able