Etymology From white ant (“termite”), suggesting the action of termites eating the inside of wooden building foundations, often leaving no outward evidence until the structure begins to crumble.
The white-anting of ATSIC has been brought about by the usual suspects.
If someone undermines you at work you might say they were "white-anting" you.
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The left was divided between the ALP Club, slowly being white-anted by supporters of the DLP, and a Labour or Socialist Club which disgraced the labour movement by its extremism.2002, Alan Barcan, Radical Students: The Old Left at Sydney University, page 324:
Plans for the Force 7 had officially been announced earlier in ′74, off the back of the P76′s Car of the Year award, before the shortages and poor quality control started white-anting it.2005, Clinton Walker, Golden Miles: Sex, Speed and the Australian Muscle Car, page 149:
He was always prepared to contest an open ballot, when he viewed runs on the leadership as a free-for-all, but never challenged an incumbent leader. In time, Peacock supporters would accuse Howard of white-anting Peacock′s leadership.2008, Peter Van Onselen, Wayne Errington, John Winston Howard: The Definitive Biography, page 102:
In May 1947, Clark ‘debated’ Edmunds on ABC Radio, the topic: ‘Is communism white-anting our education system?’—a clear invitation for violent disagreement.2011, Mark McKenna, An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark, page 263:
white ant
noun
Etymology From white + ant, reflecting a superficial resemblance to the ant.
The most important point in the work of the white ant remains to be noted. I have already said that the white ant is never seen.1885 October, Henry Drummond, “The White Ant: A Theory”, in Popular Science Monthly, page 741:
The most voracious cable-muncher in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of Australia is the termite, or white ant, which eats through both lead and polythene sheathings.1971 June 3, “Technology Review: Spoiling the termite′s dinner”, in New Scientist, page 573:
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1990 December 13, Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard), page D.3, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am happy to hear that the hon. Member appreciates the fact that white ants cause a lot [of] destruction in his area. There is very little we can do about white ants.
White ants destroy living plants by removing the epidermal layers, effectively ‘ringbarking’ the subject.1995, Bill Sheat, Gerald Schofield, Complete Gardening in Southern Africa, page 424:
Our house was built on a hard ferruginous conglomerate, in order to be out of the way of the white ant, but they came in despite the precaution;[…].2010, David Livingstone, “15: Conversations on Rain-Making”, in Roy Richard Grinker, Stephen C. Lubkemann, Christopher B. Steiner, editors, Perspectives on Africa: A Reader in Culture, History and Representation, page 246: