exit strategy

exit strategy (plural exit strategies)

1. (usually military, politics or business) A well-defined plan for bringing involvement in a mission, activity, or commitment to an acceptable conclusion.
   • 1993 October 18, Michael Kramer, “The Political Interest It's All Foreign to Clinton”, in Time:

     Seeking an exit strategy before sailing in harm's way is smart, but it must be related to the mission's goal.

   • 2005 February 1, David E. Sanger; Steven R. Weisman, “In U.S., White House and the Democrats Seek an Edge”, in New York Times, retrieved June 30, 2011:

     "But most of all, we need an exit strategy so that we know what victory is and how we can get there."

   • 2009 February 26, David Lawsky, “Silicon Valley: down but not out?”, in Forbes, retrieved June 30, 2011:

     Mergers, acquisitions and IPOs are no longer a reliable exit strategy with capital markets tanking and buyers wary.

• → German: Exit-Strategie (partial calque)

• exit policy

• exit strategy at OneLook Dictionary Search

Unadapted borrowing from English exit strategy.

exit strategy f (invariable)

1. exit strategy