collision

collision — noun

1. a situation in which two moving vehicles, such as cars, trains, or ships, come t

1.名詞B2
釋義

a situation in which two moving vehicles, such as cars, trains, or ships, come together with great force, often causing damage or injury

例句

A collision between a freight train and a bus blocked the crossing for hours.

collision + between + plural noun (two vehicles involved)

Theo was treated at the hospital after a collision with a delivery truck.

collision + with + noun (one vehicle hitting another)

同義詞
  • crash

    far more frequent in everyday speech; implies a loud, destructive event

  • accident

    broader term; includes non-vehicle mishaps like falls or spills

  • impact

    focuses on the moment of hitting rather than the event as a whole

反義詞
  • near miss

    a situation where a collision was narrowly avoided

文法句型

collision + between + plural noun

collision + with + noun

collision + of + plural noun

用法筆記

Countable when referring to a specific incident ('three collisions this week'). Uncountable when discussing the phenomenon in general ('a system designed to prevent collision'). Frequently paired with vehicle-type modifiers: car collision, head-on collision, train collision.

常見錯誤

❌The car had a collision with the tree.
✅The car was in a collision with a tree.
💡'be in a collision' is the natural collocation; 'have a collision' sounds awkward in English.
❌I saw a collision.
✅I saw a car crash.
💡In everyday British conversation, 'crash' is far more common than 'collision'; 'collision' sounds more formal or official.

2. a situation where people's opinions, aims, or interests are so different that th

2.名詞C1
釋義

a situation where people's opinions, aims, or interests are so different that they come into direct conflict with one another

例句

The collision between the CEO's cost-cutting plan and the union's demands led to a strike.

collision + between + two opposing groups

A collision of cultures was inevitable when the two companies merged.

collision + of + abstract nouns

同義詞
  • clash

    more active and confrontational; often used for direct arguments

  • conflict

    broader term; can refer to ongoing tension rather than a single confrontation

  • confrontation

    implies a direct, face-to-face opposition, often hostile

反義詞
  • agreement

    opposite outcome when parties share goals or opinions

  • harmony

    suggests smooth cooperation with no friction

文法句型

collision + between + plural noun

collision + of + plural noun

on a collision course + with + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used with 'between X and Y' or 'of X and Y'. The 'on a collision course' idiom is common to suggest that conflict is inevitable if current directions continue. This sense is slightly formal; in casual conversation, 'clash' or 'conflict' is more frequent.

常見錯誤

❌We had a collision about where to eat dinner.
✅We disagreed about where to eat dinner.
💡'collision' is too strong for minor everyday disagreements; reserve it for fundamental conflicts of principle or interest.