draw fire

The idiom 'draw fire' has both literal and figurative uses, often involving attracting negative attention or creating a diversion.

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Definition

C1Military

(literal, technical)To attract gunfire from an enemy, either unintentionally or deliberately, to help allies gain a tactical advantage.

Example

The soldier exposed himself to draw fire away from his squad.

B2General

(idiomatic)To create a distraction that allows others to gain an advantage.

Example

He made a controversial statement to draw fire away from his colleague.

B2General

(idiomatic)To attract criticism or provoke an angry reaction.

Example

The new policy is likely to draw fire from the public.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "draw fire":

take fire open fire return fire walking fire fire out blue fire bin fire dry fire fire off catch fire fight fires cold fire hold fire on fire line of fire draw iron false fire draw on draw into set on fire back fire spit fire static fire fire up draw in draw weight put out a fire flame up escape fire blaze away burn in draw near blaze down draw together blaze up fire ant fire away fired up hang fire fire in the hole firing point fire lily fire pike fire load sparks fly burn down set alight add fuel to the fire