my $pattern = join '|', map{"\Q$_\E"}@search_terms; 
while(my $suspect = <FTS>){
   chomp($suspect);
   if( $suspect =~ /$pattern/o ){
      push @delete_me, "$base_path$term";
   }
}

##</code><code>##

foreach (@file_list){ # don't bother putting $_ here
  print $_, '<br>';
}