accidental target
[/ˌæksɪˈdɛntəl ˈtɑrɡɪt/]
nounpl: accidental targets
alvo acidental
1. A person, object, or location that is harmed, attacked, or affected unintentionally rather than by design
The civilian population became accidental targets during the military operation.
A população civil tornou-se alvo acidental durante a operação militar.
2. In gaming or sports, an unintended recipient of an action meant for someone or something else
The goalkeeper was an accidental target when the defender's pass went out of bounds.
O goleiro foi um alvo acidental quando o passe do defensor saiu do campo.
3. A secondary or unintended consequence of an action or policy
Small businesses became accidental targets of the new tax legislation.
Pequenas empresas tornaram-se alvos acidentais da nova legislação tributária.
The term 'accidental target' is commonly used in military discourse, international relations, and journalism in both the USA and Brazil. In American English, it is often used euphemistically in military and political contexts. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'alvo acidental' is widely understood in media reporting and formal communication, while 'vítima colateral' (collateral victim) may be used interchangeably in broader social commentary.
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