hostile fire
3
7.0
- noun
- /ˈhɑːstəl faɪər/
- Specialized
:
fuego hostil
- The convoy managed to escape without casualties despite being targeted by hostile fire from nearby insurgents.
- killed by hostile fire
- came under hostile fire
- taking hostile fire
Examples
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As they closed with the enemy and hostile fire became intense, the raw volunteers tended to disperse and seek whatever cover was available.
Academic text (1991) -
During the battle, the soldiers took cover from the hostile fire coming from the enemy position.
-
"There was no hostile fire.
Blog text (31) -
American special forces went in, all guns blazing, rescued her against hostile fire.
-
Kerry reportedly told him he had been wounded by hostile fire.
Blog text (31) -
Incoming hostile fire.
-
Non-combat people will never understand the camaraderie that develops between soldiers, especially those exposed to hostile fire.
Blog text (27) -
Reports indicate that several troops were injured due to hostile fire while attempting to secure the area.
Synonyms
Antonyms
How Heavy
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a simple adjective+noun composition where 'hostile' (from an enemy) directly modifies 'fire' (gunfire/shooting), yielding the predictable meaning 'enemy gunfire'. The pattern is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words (with context to disambiguate 'fire' from flames) will readily understand it.
Etymology
Hostile fire puts together hostile for an 'enemy' and fire for 'gun shots'. Imagine enemies shooting at you, and that image explains why it means 'gunfire or attack by an enemy'.