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

Migrating gray whales and ships are on a collision course in the San Francisco Bay, with at least seven whales dead so far this year—many from vessels—after 21 fatalities in 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

"To avoid this collision course the government needs to step up and deliver the properly funded education system our children and young people deserve."

From BBC • May 9, 2026

But this initial venture highlighted the inevitable collision course between Steyer’s burgeoning activism and his firm’s investments.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Oil production increases set the U.A.E. on a collision course with OPEC.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

We both knew that we were on a collision course.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane