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to wipe somebody or something off the (map / face of the earth)
to wipe somebody or something off the map
01
to remove or destroy someone or something completely
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "wipe somebody or something off the map" and when to use it?
The idiom "wipe somebody or something off the map" has a dramatic and forceful origin. It is rooted in the imagery of complete destruction or elimination. The phrase is used to imply a complete and devastating removal, as if a location or entity has been entirely erased from existence, much like wiping something off a surface.
Examples
The natural disaster had the power to wipe entire towns off the map, leaving behind only debris.
