hard landing; crash landing; heavy-handed approach
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to make a hard landing; to crash-land without deceleration control
Technical term in aerospace engineering. Implies an uncontrolled descent at high velocity, usually resulting in damage or destruction.
If the parachute fails, the return capsule may crash-land on the ground.
The probe ultimately crashed into the lunar surface in a hard landing.
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A hard landing of a spacecraft usually causes severe damage to equipment.
verb
to solve major problems with excessively harsh or rigid measures; to take a heavy-handed approach
Metaphorical extension from aerospace terminology. Commonly used in economic and political contexts to describe abrupt policy changes or drastic interventions that may cause turbulence or damage.
The government took tough measures to force a hard landing in the real estate sector.
To avoid a hard landing for the economy, the central bank promptly adjusted its monetary policy.
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This kind of heavy-handed solution may trigger social instability.
The company adopted a hard landing approach to reform, resulting in a large number of employees leaving.