damage control

noun

1. a department or group, as aboard a naval vessel, responsible for taking action to control damage caused by fire, collision, etc.
2. any efforts, as by a company, to curtail losses, counteract unfavorable publicity, etc.

Other Words From

• damage-con·trol adjective

Idioms and Phrases

Measures to minimize or curtail loss or harm. For example, As soon as they discovered the leak to the press, the senator's office worked night and day on damage control . Used literally since the 1950s, specifically for limiting the effect of an accident on a ship, this term began to be used figuratively in the 1970s.

Example Sentences

Biden and the White House immediately went into damage control and sought to clarify his remarks.

From Los Angeles Times

But even Trump supporters were doing damage control as Hinchcliffe’s set went viral — in a bad way.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawyer will deal with damage control, including the press, but all leaks seem to be patched.

From Los Angeles Times

The trailer appeared to be playing damage control after Coppola's initial festival screenings garnered mixed reviews.

From Salon

If the reform passes, Sheinbaum will spend her critical first months in office implementing drastic changes to the judiciary — including organizing nationwide elections — and doing damage control to ease spooked investors, he said.

From Los Angeles Times