friendly fire

noun

1. Insurance.,  a fire deliberately set and remaining contained, as in a fireplace or boiler, from which any resulting loss cannot be claimed as an insurance liability (hostile fire ).

2. (in military combat) fire, as by artillery, by one's own forces, especially when causing damage near or casualties to one's own troops.

friendly fire

noun

1. military firing by one's own side, esp when it harms one's own personnel

Example Sentences

The Army’s cover-up of friendly fire in Afghanistan that killed the former football player and natural leader remains a disgrace.

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that the agency “has not received reports of any ‘friendly fire’ incidents.”

From Los Angeles Times

In court filings, Colomey accused officers of covering up incidents in which officers were struck by friendly fire, showing up to calls drunk and participating in hazing rituals with newer members.

From Los Angeles Times

He said that he hoped to cover-up a 2012 shooting in Afghanistan that he never reported to superiors, for fear of a military investigation that might reveal a friendly fire incident.

From Salon

Some drones are even shot down along the way by friendly fire - Ukraine’s own air defences.

From BBC