collateral damage
Americannoun
-
the killing of civilians in a military attack.
-
any damage incidental to an activity.
noun
Etymology
Origin of collateral damage
First recorded in 1985–90
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.
Collateral damage included a Paris gig by British hard rock group Royal Blood.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2022
Collateral damage included a TD bank, a Men’s Wearhouse and an Apple Store, where a single panel of its tempered-glass facade had cracked but not broken.
From Washington Post • Jun. 1, 2020
Collateral damage is not a phrase that he understands.
From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2018
Collateral damage, alternative set of procedures, detainees, these are practically mental pillows by now.
From The Guardian • May 28, 2016
"Collateral damage and inadvertent surveillance of non-targeted individuals is almost certain."
From BBC • Nov. 22, 2013
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.
