Example 1:
Jack: The freeway was moving really slowly today.
Jill: What was the problem?
Jack: There was an accident.
Jill: Was it bad? Was anyone hurt?
Jack: No. It looked like just a fender bender.
Example 2:
Doreen: Your new car is dented already!
Maureen: I know. I had a fender bender the other day.
Doreen: What a bummer. What happened?
Maureen: It was my fault. I feel so stupid. I was texting when it happened. I’m just glad it wasn’t worse.
Explanation:
Fender bender: a small accident in which only minor damage occurs. The fender of a car is the panel above the tire. In this case bend refers to a dent, which is not as bad as a crack or a break. It is relatively inexpensive to repair the fender of a car compared with the trunk, door or hood.
