merge conflict
/mɜːrdʒ ˈkɒnflɪkt/
Very CommonA version control problem where two people edited the same code and Git cannot automatically combine the changes.
Has a broader metaphorical use beyond code: any situation where two versions of something clash and need manual reconciliation. Context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.
Real-world examples3 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | senior dev and i both touched the same file. merge conflict hell for the next hour | Two developers edited the same code simultaneously, creating a painful merge situation. | x, 2023 |
| 02 | my two personalities are having a merge conflict about whether to fix this or just leave it | Internal conflict about a decision, framed as a Git metaphor. | x, 2024 |
| 03 | nothing like a merge conflict on a friday afternoon to ruin the weekend | A merge conflict appeared at the worst possible time. |
Use it when
- Two people edited the same file and Git cannot auto-merge the result.
- Describing any situation where two things collide and need manual reconciliation.
- Tech humor about the pain of collaborative development.
Do not use it when
- You are describing a general disagreement with no version-control metaphor intended.Use “conflict” instead.
Origin and context
A technical term from version control systems, especially Git. Became cultural shorthand in developer communities and gradually adopted broader metaphorical use online.
- First seen
- 2000s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/merge-conflictUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0