damage control

damage control (countable and uncountable, plural damage controls)

1. The limiting of damage resulting from an action when damage cannot be avoided.
2. (nautical) A department or group, as aboard a naval vessel, responsible for taking action to control damage caused by fire, collision, etc.
3. (public relations) Any efforts, as by a company or organization, to curtail losses, counteract unfavorable publicity, etc.

   As news of the impending layoffs spread faster, the company finally began damage control.

   • 2022 October 3, “Tory MPs plot to avert welfare squeeze after humiliating U-turns”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎^[1], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 18 October 2026:

     Across receptions and fringe events at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, MPs welcomed the U-turn but hinted further damage control was needed.

   • 2023 November 17, Blake Montgomery, “White House condemns Elon Musk’s ‘abhorrent’ antisemitic tweets”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian‎^[2], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 18 October 2026:

     The platform’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, attempted to do damage control after Musk’s Thursday post, though she did not say his name or reference his tweet.