on a collision course

idiom

: moving so as to crash into each other if one or the other does not change direction

The two airplanes were on a collision course.

—often + with

The comet was on a collision course with the planet.

—often used figuratively

The government's policies are putting us on a collision course with economic disaster.

Examples of on a collision course in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

When tragedy struck, the two — both unacknowledged addicts — found themselves on a collision course with catastrophe. —

Lizz Schumer, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025 Some of President-elect Trump's most audacious promises — lobbed from the comfort of the campaign trail — will be on a collision course with reality beginning Jan. 20. —

Zachary Basu, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025 Eschewing the military-heavy approach of some of her predecessors could set Sheinbaum on a collision course with Trump and Johnson. —

Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024 The author’s views, even before the escalation in her language, put her on a collision course with the Harry Potter movie stars, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. —

Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for on a collision course

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“On a collision course.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20a%20collision%20course. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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