# the terrorists will have won

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/the-terrorists-will-have-won
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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.

## Examples

- If we stop holding public events, the terrorists will have won.
- We must continue to travel and live our lives normally, because if we hide in fear, the terrorists will have won.
- By abandoning the democratic principles that define our society in response to these threats, we risk a scenario where the terrorists will have won.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.