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Glite Dictionary
direct supporting fire

direct supporting fire

8.4
Fire from guns or artillery that helps one group of soldiers during combat
  • noun
  • Jargon
translation icon : fuego de apoyo directo
  • The artillery provided direct supporting fire to the advancing infantry during the assault.

Examples

  • Proper coordination is crucial when delivering direct supporting fire to avoid friendly casualties.

  • He called for direct supporting fire to break through the enemy's defensive line.

  • The troops called for direct supporting fire during the ambush.

  • Can we request direct supporting fire from the artillery?

  • He called for direct supporting fire to break through the enemy's defensive line.

  • The artillery provided direct supporting fire to the advancing infantry during the assault.

  • Proper coordination is crucial when delivering direct supporting fire to avoid friendly casualties.

Synonyms

covering fire
vsdirect supporting fire
  • Specialized
3 7.7

Intense gunfire aimed near an enemy to keep them from shooting back while friendly troops move

focuses on helping a specific part rather than enabling general troop movement
suppressive fire
vsdirect supporting fire
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Continuous gunfire aimed at an enemy to stop them firing or moving so friendly troops can advance

aims to help a particular part rather than mainly to disrupt enemy systems
supporting fire
vsdirect supporting fire
  • Specialized
1 7.0

Gunfire by other soldiers or tanks that protects attacking soldiers from the enemy

is aimed at helping only a particular part rather than the whole force
close support
vsdirect supporting fire
  • Specialized
1 7.3

Help for soldiers from nearby troops that attack the enemy

involves only gunfire used to help a part rather than broader attacks
close supporting fire
vsdirect supporting fire
  • Specialized
8.5

Gunfire aimed near friendly troops to protect them from immediate enemy threats

focuses on aiding a specific part regardless of distance or immediacy
call fire
vsdirect supporting fire
  • Specialized
9.6

Artillery or aircraft attack a specific target after a unit asks for it

is about aiding a particular part rather than just responding to requests

Antonyms

indirect fire
  • Specialized
1 8.2

Shooting at a target you cannot see using calculations or people who watch

How Targeted

precision rifle
  • Specialized
7.9
direct supporting fire
  • Jargon
8.4
supporting fire
  • Specialized
1 7.0

Surface Forms

direct supporting fire singular
direct supporting fires plural

Morphology

direct + supporting + fire

The meaning is directly compositional: 'direct' (aimed/targeted) + 'supporting' (providing assistance) + 'fire' (gun/artillery firing) yields 'gunfire aimed to assist a specific part of the force.' Although military in register, the components combine in a predictable, cross-linguistically common way, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Direct supporting fire comes from the image of guns aimed straight at a particular enemy spot to help a nearby group of soldiers. Here direct means aimed straight and supporting fire means 'fire' given to 'help' one part of the force, not the whole force.