collision course: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral, widely used in news, analysis, and political discourse.
Quick answer
What does “collision course” mean?
A course or path that, if continued, will inevitably lead to a violent impact or direct conflict.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A course or path that, if continued, will inevitably lead to a violent impact or direct conflict.
A process or series of actions that are certain to result in a serious disagreement, clash, or confrontation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling 'collision' is consistent. Minor differences in article usage may occur (e.g., 'on a collision course' vs 'on collision course'), but both are accepted.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of impending disaster or unavoidable conflict in both variants.
Frequency
Equally common in both geopolitical and business journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “collision course” in a Sentence
to be on a collision course with [ENTITY]to set/put [ENTITY A] on a collision course with [ENTITY B]to head/steer on a collision course towards [EVENT/CONFLICT]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collision course” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two leaders' policies are colliding inevitably.
American English
- Their strategies are set to collide.
adverb
British English
- The companies moved collision-coursely towards a legal battle.
American English
- The negotiations proceeded collision-coursely.
adjective
British English
- Their collision-bound policies alarmed investors.
American English
- The two collision-course philosophies created deadlock.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describes companies with competing strategies that will lead to a price war or market clash.
Academic
Used in political science and international relations to describe escalating tensions between states.
Everyday
Used to describe two people with stubborn, opposing views who are arguing more intensely.
Technical
In physics or navigation, a literal course that will result in physical impact.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collision course”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “collision course”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collision course”
- Using 'collision' as an adjective (e.g., 'collision path' is less idiomatic). Forgetting the article 'a' (e.g., 'on collision course'). Confusing with 'collusion course' (which is not a standard phrase).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is very commonly used metaphorically for political, commercial, or interpersonal conflicts that seem destined to happen.
No, the standard preposition is 'on a collision course' (e.g., on a course/path/journey).
'Conflict' is the actual clash. 'Collision course' describes the period or actions leading inevitably *to* that clash.
Not necessarily. It describes the situation of impending clash, but the cause or blame can be attributed to one, both, or external factors.
A course or path that, if continued, will inevitably lead to a violent impact or direct conflict.
Collision course is usually formal to neutral, widely used in news, analysis, and political discourse. in register.
Collision course: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈlɪʒ.ən kɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈlɪʒ.ən kɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like two trains heading for each other on the same track.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two cars ('collision') on a racing track ('course') heading straight for each other. The phrase combines the crash and the path leading to it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS A PHYSICAL COLLISION; A PROCESS IS A JOURNEY (along a course/path).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'on a collision course' metaphorically imply?