I. noun
: procedures and skills employed to maintain or restore watertight integrity, stability, or offensive power in a warship or airplane
the damage-control officer
II. noun
: measures taken to offset or minimize damage to reputation, credibility, or public image caused by a controversial act, remark, or revelation
people who brought this embarrassment to the institution were attempting to stage a poorly run, last-minute damage control operation — G.S.White Jr.