English

Verb

terminate with extreme prejudice

1. (euphemistic, US) To murder; to assassinate.

   The government ordered the spies to be terminated with extreme prejudice: they did not want them to expose what they knew in a public trial.

   • 1969, Terence Smith, “Details of Green Beret Case Are Reported in Saigon”, The New York Times, August 14, 1969:

     ...suggested that he either be isolated or ‘terminated with extreme prejudice.’ This term is said to be an intelligence euphemism for execution.

   • 1979, Apocalypse Now

     Colonel Lucas: ... When you find the Colonel, infiltrate his team by whatever means available and terminate the Colonel's command.

     Willard: Terminate the Colonel?

     ...

     Civilian: Terminate with extreme prejudice.

Derived terms

• tweep

Related terms

• with prejudice
• without prejudice

See also

• wet work
• assassination

References

1. ↑ See termination of employment and without prejudice

• Douglas Valentine, The Phoenix Program, 1990
• Jeff Stein, A Murder in Wartime