friendly fire

American  

noun

1. Insurance. a fire deliberately set and remaining contained, as in a fireplace or boiler, from which any resulting loss cannot be claimed as an insurance liability (hostile fire ).

2. (in military combat) fire, as by artillery, by one's own forces, especially when causing damage near or casualties to one's own troops.

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friendly fire British  

noun

1. military firing by one's own side, esp when it harms one's own personnel

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Example Sentences

Nugent-Hopkins had three points and a friendly fire puck to the face, the Oilers scored on both power-play opportunities and the Knights netted a short-handed goal.

From Washington Times

“It was friendly fire,” Ansari said, muttering a string of expletives.

From Washington Post

Tillman was serving as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan when he was killed by friendly fire at the age of 27.

From Fox News

A fourth officer was accidentally shot in suspected “friendly fire” from another officer in Hollywood in August.

From Los Angeles Times

Craig said the officer, who may have been wounded in the hand by friendly fire, was expected to recover.

From Washington Times