shots were fired
16
8.8
- idiom
- Slang
:
se lanzaron críticas
- During the debate, shots were fired at the opposing party's policies, igniting a heated discussion.
- the first shots were fired
- many shots were fired
- several shots were fired
Examples
-
After the press conference, several shots were fired at the politician's controversial statements.
-
In his latest book, the author takes a stance on social issues, claiming that shots were fired at the injustices in society.
-
China, meanwhile, gets all the oil it needs without a single shot being fired.
Blog text (2)
Synonyms
175
5.9
A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
34
6.3
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
11
7.2
A quick, unfair criticism aimed at an easy target
11
7.7
A sharp remark that humiliates someone in an argument
2
8.8
Angry, critical comments aimed at someone in public
1
9.3
A sharp insulting remark about someone or their actions
1
7.9
A strong criticism that attacks a person or idea
1
8.2
A strong attack in words on a person or group
1
7.2
A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone
1
7.0
A strong public refusal of an idea or suggestion
Antonyms
How Harsh
29
5.8
- Offensive
1
3.2
- Slang
16
8.8
- Offensive
1
8.2
- Informal
9
6.4
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase maps a literal shooting image onto verbal or figurative attacks: 'shots' = attacking remarks and 'were fired' = were sent/made. This metaphoric transfer makes the meaning partially derivable from the parts for learners who know the figurative sense of 'shot', but it still relies on a non-literal extension and may not be fully predictable without that specific sense, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The phrase shots were fired comes from the image of real guns: when shots are fired, a fight or attack begins. So in conversation it means someone made spoken 'attacks' or sharp criticisms.