collateral damage

noun

1. the killing of civilians in a military attack.
2. any damage incidental to an activity.

collateral damage

noun

1. military unintentional damage to civil property and civilian casualties, caused by military operations

Word History and Origins

Origin of collateral damage¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Instead, these insects might be collateral damage in catnip’s fight with some other plant-nibbling insect.

From Science News

The data also reflects an increased death total from other causes, such as strokes and drug overdoses, that are part of the pandemic’s collateral damage.

From Washington Post

If either of these influence hunting behavior, then perhaps beefing up the amount of meat in a cat’s diet or mimicking hunting behavior through play could fulfill those needs without the collateral damage to wildlife.

From Science News

Safer than antibiotics, which have numerous side effects, because they are not part of our normal make up and are cell killers—mostly bacterial cells, but they are not so perfectly targeted that they don’t leave some collateral damage in their wake.

From Nautilus

If you agreed to secrecy, then you talk to your sister, not your mom, about the secret’s collateral damage.

From Washington Post

The euphemism of “collateral damage” comes with that package.

From The Daily Beast

And even with that this book gives us so much collateral damage—the really young kids, the city itself, the school system.

From The Daily Beast

And even with that this book gives us so much collateral damage, the really young kids, the city itself, the school system.

From The Daily Beast

More regulations, and further public education may be required to cap and stem the collateral damage.

From The Daily Beast

“Sometimes there is collateral damage, but it is rare,” said Bauer.

From The Daily Beast

When used, Rapid Dominance would ensure favorable early resolution of issues with minimal loss of lives and collateral damage.

From Project Gutenberg

In the attempt to keep war "immaculate," at least in limiting collateral damage, one point should not be forgotten.

From Project Gutenberg

Rapid Dominance would ensure favorable early resolution of issues at minimal loss of lives and collateral damage.

From Project Gutenberg

He is liable for direct damage both to your chimneys and any collateral damage caused by fall of bricks into garden, etc., etc.

From Project Gutenberg