broken arrow

Meanings

1. A callout marker that consists of a dashed line with an arrowhead.
2. Any of a series of accidental nuclear events in the Cold War, involving nuclear weapons or warheads fallen from aircrafts, which could have triggered a nuclear war.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see broken, arrow.

1. An accidental event that involves nuclear weapons or nuclear components but does not create the risk of nuclear war.

1. A code phrase indicating that a ground unit is facing imminent destruction from enemy attack and all available air forces within range are to provide air support immediately.

1. A city in Tulsa County and Wagoner County, Oklahoma, United States.