fender bender

American  

Or fender-bender

noun

Informal.

1. a collision between motor vehicles in which there is only minor damage.

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Etymology

Origin of fender bender

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The storyline has certainly been a reminder of what not to do after a fender bender.

From Los Angeles Times

Adam Martin was introduced in a seemingly random fender bender, but he went on to prompt suspicions in the swirl of mystery that surrounds the present-day survivors.

From Los Angeles Times

The built-in advertisement for Warner Bros.'s 100th anniversary, introduced by Morgan Freeman and Margot Robbie a bit later, felt like another fender bender.

From Washington Post

So much for the urban brotherhood of man: In “Crash,” there’s no getting through a fender bender, casual conversation, business transaction, phone call to mom or naked love romp without someone’s ancestry taking a nasty beating.

From Los Angeles Times

Major collisions wreak havoc for hours, and any fender bender or flat tire brings backups.

From Washington Post