English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Collision course
Meaning
The idiom "collision course" refers to a situation in which two or more things are moving towards each other, or where two ideas or events are coming together in a head-on manner. It can also mean a situation that is likely to lead to conflict or disagreement. The figurative or metaphorical meaning of "collision course" is often used to describe a situation where two groups or individuals have opposing views or objectives, and are on a path towards confrontation. It can also be used to describe a situation where two events or circumstances are likely to clash or interfere with each other in some way.
Usage
- "After months of debate, the two parties finally found common ground on their collision course towards a peaceful resolution."
- "The company's new marketing strategy put them on a collision course with their long-standing supplier, leading to a bitter dispute over contracts and pricing."
- "Despite their differences, the two politicians found themselves on a collision course during their campaign, with each accusing the other of being out of touch with the people."
- "The two researchers had been working on a project together for years, but their differing opinions on the best approach led them to take a collision course, leaving the project in limbo."
- "The company's decision to expand into new markets put them on a collision course with their existing customers, who were worried about losing their business to competitors."
Roots and History
The idiom "collision course" dates back to at least the 16th century, where it was first used in the context of physics and astronomy. It comes from the idea of two objects moving towards each other with a combination of speed and direction that is likely to result in a collision or crash. Over time, the idiom has come to be used in a more figurative sense to describe situations where two groups or individuals are on a path towards conflict or disagreement.
Synonyms in English
- Head-on collision
- Showdown
- Standoff
- Battle royale
- Deadlock
Synonyms in other languages
- 碰撞的 (Japanese)
- קולים עולה מבורכן (Hebrew)
- دربندها (Persian)
- خודهای ملزونها (Kurdish)
- فصولة الكوندان (Arabic)