friendly fire

USAGE SUMMARY

"friendly fire" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a military incident in which a soldier, or soldiers, accidentally cause harm or death to their own team or allies. For example: "The death of three soldiers in the battle was attributed to friendly fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Friendly fire.

The New Yorker

Friendly fire accidents happen.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was friendly fire".

The New Yorker

But that was friendly fire.

The New Yorker

Friendly fire, five guys.

The New York Times - Magazine

And, inevitably, "friendly fire".

The Guardian

Both shootings are categorized as "friendly fire".

The New Yorker

There was lots of friendly fire.

The Washington Post

Another, in Nablus, fell to friendly fire.

The New York Times

Others were lost to friendly fire.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

FireIce is an eco-friendly fire retardant as well.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the sensitive nature of "friendly fire", especially when discussing military incidents or accidents. Use respectful and factual language to avoid causing further distress or offense.

Common error

Avoid using "friendly fire" to describe harm or damage caused by external forces or unrelated events. This phrase specifically refers to incidents involving allied or internal sources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friendly fire" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of being attacked by one's own forces or allies. Ludwig shows many examples where this term is used to describe incidents in military contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "friendly fire" is a widely used noun phrase that describes the unintentional harm caused by allied forces. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Ludwig's examples show that the term carries a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for formal reporting and objective analyses. While primarily associated with military incidents, "friendly fire" can also be used metaphorically in other situations. Understanding its specific meaning and usage helps ensure clarity and accuracy in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blue on blue

A more technical and direct synonym primarily used in military contexts, indicating attacks by friendly forces.

fratricide

Similar to "blue on blue", this term denotes the killing of one's own soldiers or allies, often used in a more formal or grave context.

inadvertent fire

This phrase focuses on the unintentional nature of the action, highlighting that the harm was caused by mistake.

collateral damage

This term broadens the scope to include unintended harm to non-combatants or assets, not necessarily from one's own side. It is less specific to military contexts.

unintentional attack

Highlights the lack of intent behind the harmful action, emphasizing that it was not deliberate.

accidental harm

This is a general term for unintended harm, lacking the specific context of allies or military action.

self-inflicted wound

Highlights the aspect of harm that one causes to oneself or one's own cause, applicable in a wider range of situations beyond military contexts.

unintended consequences

This phrase is much broader, referring to any unforeseen and often negative outcome of an action, not necessarily involving allies or conflict.

misdirected efforts

This phrase emphasizes the misapplication of resources or actions, leading to unintended negative results within a group or team.

internal conflict

This term refers to disputes or disagreements within a group, which can indirectly lead to self-inflicted harm or setbacks.

FAQs

How is "friendly fire" typically used in a sentence?

You would generally use "friendly fire" to describe an incident where allied forces accidentally harm or kill their own personnel. For example: "The investigation revealed that the soldier's death was a result of "friendly fire"."

What are some alternative phrases for "friendly fire"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "blue on blue", "fratricide", or "collateral damage" to describe unintended harm caused by allies.

Is "friendly fire" always used in a military context?

While "friendly fire" is most commonly associated with military situations, it can be used metaphorically in other contexts to describe unintended harm or negative consequences resulting from actions within a group or team.

What's the difference between "friendly fire" and "collateral damage"?

"Friendly fire" specifically refers to harm caused by allied forces, while "collateral damage" encompasses any unintended harm to non-combatants or assets, regardless of the source.