collision course

American  

noun

1. a course or path of a vehicle, projectile, etc., that, if unchanged, will lead to a collision with another object.

2. any plan, attitude, or course of action that leads to a confrontation or conflict with another.

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Etymology

Origin of collision course

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Analysts fear that tension between Ottawa and Washington on trade are putting the two countries on a collision course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 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

“This puts it on a collision course with the tribes,” said Victor Rocha, conference chair of the Indian Gaming Assn., who said he did not have advance notice of this.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

When SpaceX CEO Elon Musk chose a remote Texas outpost on the Gulf Coast to develop his company’s ambitious Starship, he put the 400-foot rocket on a collision course with the commercial airline industry.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2026

He was face-to-face with the enemy plane across a three-mile gap, on a collision course and closing fast.

From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers