noun
scorched earth
Refers to land that has been burned and devastated, often in a military context or metaphorically for complete destruction.
戦争で町は焦土と化した。
The town was reduced to scorched earth by the war.
焦土作戦は敵の資源を奪うために行われた。
The scorched-earth tactic was carried out to deprive the enemy of resources.