collateral damage
The term "collateral damage" originally emerged from military jargon but is now used in broader contexts to describe unintended harm or consequences affecting non-targeted individuals or property.
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Definition
C1Military
(euphemistic)Unintended harm to civilians or civilian property resulting from military operations.
Example
- The airstrike caused significant collateral damage in the nearby village.
- Efforts were made to minimize collateral damage during the mission.
C1General
Unintended negative consequences affecting individuals not directly involved in an action or event.
Example
- The company's sudden closure led to collateral damage for many employees' families.
- In a heated argument, the children often suffer collateral damage.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "collateral damage":