What Does "The Terrorists Will Have Won" Mean?
"The terrorists will have won" is an English idiom. It is used to express that taking drastic measures in response to terrorism or compromising fundamental values can be seen as a victory for the terrorists.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "the terrorists will have won" used in a sentence:- If we sacrifice our freedoms in fear of terrorism, then the terrorists will have won.
- Some argue that by responding with violence and curtailing civil liberties, we inadvertently let the terrorists win.
- Maintaining our way of life is a way to ensure the terrorists will not have won.

What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "The Terrorists Will Have Won" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "the terrorists will have won" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold

Silver

Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?