collision course
Americannoun
-
a course or path of a vehicle, projectile, etc., that, if unchanged, will lead to a collision with another object.
-
any plan, attitude, or course of action that leads to a confrontation or conflict with another.
Etymology
Origin of collision course
First recorded in 1940–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Should Portugal and Argentina both win their groups, the bracket will have them on a collision course for the quarterfinals.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
In the 1980s, Niall's path is set on a lifelong collision course with Ruben, his "brother from another lover", brought to life in his younger years by Stuart Campbell.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
"He could, and should, have acted differently" when his ship was on "an obvious collision course" with the tanker, Little told the trial.
From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026
European and American mores on speech are on a collision course.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026
We both knew that we were on a collision course.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
