shots fired
The phrase 'shots fired' can be used both literally by law enforcement and figuratively in everyday language to denote a critical or provocative comment.
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Definition
B2Law Enforcement
(technical)Used to notify that a firearm has been discharged nearby.
Example
- The officer radioed in, 'shots fired,' to alert the other units.
B2Everyday Language
(idiomatic, slang)Indicates that someone has made a critical or provocative comment.
Example
- When she called out his mistake in front of everyone, it was definitely shots fired.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shots fired":
warning shotshot outfire offfire awayunder firepot shotshoot offshoot backfiring lineshoot outfire in the holefire outno shotstarting gunfiring pointdog shotcheap shotreturn firein the crosshairsline of firelocked and loadedshot heard round the worldtake aimshooting gallerygun offback fire