Nuke from Orbit
Phrase · Slang & Abbreviations
Definitions
A dramatic way of saying the only safe fix is a total reset, teardown, or replacement. The phrase comes from Aliens and is used when partial cleanup no longer feels trustworthy.
In plain English: Use an extreme total reset because smaller fixes do not feel safe anymore.
Example: "The old CI machine is so cursed we should just nuke it from orbit."