firing line
1
5.7
- noun
- /ˈfaɪərɪŋ laɪn/
- Informal
:
línea de fuego
- After several poor performance reviews, she felt she was in the firing line at her job.
I learnt all that, like when you're in the, the firing line of, of critics every week on stage.
- I learnt all that, like when you're in the, the firing line of, of critics every week on stage.
Examples
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As the spokesperson for the controversial policy, he found himself in the firing line of public scrutiny.
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So Josh and I had the this middle point where we were like almost throwing blows with each other on the firing line, like, like log books getting tossed.
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So right now they're not on the on the firing line, but it could happen.
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I learnt all that, like when you're in the, the firing line of, of critics every week on stage.
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Personally, I think it is a very bad idea to needlessly put yourself into the firing line of such a primeval force.
Blog text (2) -
During the heated debate, the candidate was clearly in the firing line of criticism from the audience.
Synonyms
58
5.0
Receiving strong criticism or being shot at, often in public
29
4.3
The main place where people do the most important and risky work
22
4.6
A position where someone is under strong pressure and criticism because of their responsibilities
11
5.3
A situation where someone risks being harmed or strongly criticized
8
8.2
People are looking closely at and criticizing a person or thing
The main target of attention or criticism
How Pressured
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is motivated by a military image (a 'line' where 'firing' occurs), so learners who know the constituents can infer a sense of being in a dangerous or targeted position; however the specific extension to being the focus of criticism or pressure is metaphorical and not fully predictable from the literal meanings. This motivated-but-metaphorical mapping is therefore partially clear but requires prior exposure for the precise social meaning.
Etymology
Firing line is also used as a picture: imagine standing where bullets or fire are aimed at you. If you are in the firing line, you are the target of attack or blame, so it means being the focus of pressure or criticism.