Definition
Phrase used to indicate that if a specified activity is not continued or carried out, those who seek to disrupt normal activities through terror will have succeeded, which is an unacceptable result.
In Context
- "If you throttle the free press, the terrorists will have won."
- "If governments overact and become oppressive, the terrorists will have won, for their theory is that repression will eventually lead to revolution."
- "If we have to wear sweaters and turn down our thermostat, the terrorists will have won."