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Crime, Conflict & Law - Military-Derived Expressions

Here you will find military-derived expressions that have entered everyday conversation.

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Crime, Conflict & Law
collateral damage

unintended negative consequence or harm resulting from an action

Ex: When the company cut budgets, low morale was the collateral damage. 
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recon
recon
[noun]

a preliminary investigation or survey to gather information

Ex: The team did some recon before entering the building. 
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mission accomplished

used to indicate that a task or set of tasks has been successfully completed

Ex: I finished the report on time. Mission accomplished. 
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to [drop|explode] a bombshell

to reveal unexpected and shocking news or information that has a strong impact on those who receive it

Ex: She dropped a bombshell when she announced that she was resigning from her job to start her own business. 
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to [take] the flak

to be strongly criticized or blamed

Ex: The manager took the flak for the team's poor performance. 
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on {one's} radar

used to refer to someone or something that has captured one's attention or is within one's awareness or consideration

Ex: This issue wasn't on their radar until the stakeholders brought it up. 
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off the radar

forgotten, unnoticed, or no longer being tracked

Ex: He went off the radar after graduation. 
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locked and loaded

fully prepared and ready to act

Ex: I'm locked and loaded for tomorrow's meeting. 
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to [bite] the bullet

to start to deal with an inevitable challenge or difficulty

Ex: I finally bit the bullet and booked the surgery. 
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front line

the center of action or the most critical position in a struggle or activity

Ex: Teachers are on the front line of the education crisis. 
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Cinderella liberty

a period of leave or pass that ends at midnight

Ex: The recruits were happy to get Cinderella liberty after training. 
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to [have] got {one's} six

to watch someone's back or give them support

Ex: Don't worry, I've got your six. 
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to read off

to deliver a sharp verbal reprimand

Ex: The sergeant read him off for being late. 
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on the double

in a rapid or immediate manner, typically used to indicate urgent action

Ex: The soldiers marched on the double to reach the checkpoint. 
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