firing line
The term "firing line" has both literal military origins and figurative uses in modern language.
Definition
B2Military
(technical, historical)The position where soldiers stand or lie to shoot at an enemy.
Example
- The troops took their positions on the firing line, ready for the command to fire.
C1General
(idiomatic)A situation where one is likely to face criticism or attack.
Example
- The CEO found himself in the firing line after the company's scandal was revealed.
C1General
(idiomatic)The forefront of an activity or movement, often involving risk or direct action.
Example
- She has always been on the firing line of the environmental movement, advocating for change.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "firing line":
line of firefiring pointunder firefire offbattle linefire awayshots firedline gunreturn fireline of battleopen firefront linefire outon the lineforward linestarting gundry fireenemy lineunder the gungun laphold fireflight linefire in the holeparty lineline of attackin the crosshairsback lineshooting gallerytrial by fireready, fire, aim