"Unintended consequences" refer to outcomes that are not the ones foreseen or intended by a particular action. These can be positive, negative, or simply unexpected results that arise from decisions made in various contexts, such as government policies, business strategies, or personal choices. For example, a new law aimed at reducing pollution might lead to companies relocating to areas with less regulation, resulting in job losses in the original location. This illustrates how well-meaning actions can produce effects that diverge from the original goals, highlighting the complexity of cause and effect in social systems.