line of fire
11
5.3
- noun
:
línea de fuego
- Quarterbacks are going to be in the line of fire, and the teams that are best prepared to cope will be able to survive.
- right in the line of fire
- directly in the line of fire
- get in the line of fire
These are my battle scars, and I am not putting myself in the line of fire ever again.
- These are my battle scars, and I am not putting myself in the line of fire ever again.
- What I'm trying to do is help you get out of the line of fire.
- Because there are people out there that are actually trying to say things that gets caught in the line of fire.
- And so like a good parent, he went in front of the the line of fire of what is required for justice and he took the bullet for us so we don't have to.
- Now, of course, it doesn't mean blindly walk into a line of fire doesn't mean, you know, set yourself up for failure.
Examples
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We know how risky it is, and finding yourself in the line of fire is a big deal.
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In a conflict zone, many journalists find themselves in the line of fire while reporting.
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Today I go into the line of fire.
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-Protect those in the line of fire.
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Get out of the line of fire.
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Dan, you are in the line of fire.
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I'm getting out of the line of fire.
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And I'm looking to stay out of the line of fire.
Fiction book (2000) -
Listen, when you're in the line of fire, you do what's necessary to get the job done.
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He could have avoided this, but his actions put them in the line of fire.
Blog text (32)
Synonyms
58
5.0
Receiving strong criticism or being shot at, often in public
22
4.6
A position where someone is under strong pressure and criticism because of their responsibilities
8
8.2
People are looking closely at and criticizing a person or thing
1
7.6
In a position where people may blame or criticize you
1
5.7
A position where a person faces strong criticism
Antonyms
How Dangerous
112
5.7
- Literature
58
5.0
11
5.3
269
3.6
356
2.6
14
4.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'line' (a position or formation) and 'fire' (shooting) in a literal spatial relation: being in the path where firing is directed. A B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer that someone 'in the line of fire' is exposed to danger or attack; the metaphorical extension to criticism is also an obvious pragmatic transfer, so the expression is compositionally transparent.
Etymology
Line of fire grew from that same image: if you stand in the dangerous straight line of someone's fire, you can be attacked or blamed. So it now means 'a place where someone is at risk of being harmed, attacked, or criticized'.