cross-fire

A reporter faces a cross-fire of questions from journalists.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Military/gunnery: "cross-fire" refers to lines of fire from two or more positions that intersect, creating a dangerous area where soldiers or targets are exposed to bullets from multiple directions. This is the primary, literal meaning.
   • Figurative: By extension, "cross-fire" describes a situation of intense, simultaneous, and often conflicting demands, questions, or criticisms directed at a person from multiple sources.

Usage Examples

• Literal:

  • The soldiers were caught in a deadly cross-fire between enemy machine guns. (They were under attack from multiple angles simultaneously.)

• Figurative:

  • The politician found himself in a cross-fire of questions from journalists on both sides of the aisle. (He was being questioned aggressively and from opposing viewpoints.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the cross-fire": to be caught in the middle of a conflict or argument, often unintentionally.

  • The innocent bystander was in the cross-fire of the heated debate. (He was not directly involved but suffered the consequences of others' disagreement.)

• "cross-fire of opinions": a rapid and conflicting exchange of viewpoints.

  • The meeting devolved into a cross-fire of opinions, with no one reaching a consensus. (Many different, opposing ideas were voiced quickly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Crossfire (n): a common spelling variant (often used interchangeably, especially in modern English).
• Cross-fire (n): often hyphenated in formal or military contexts, but also written as one word "crossfire" in everyday use.

Synonyms

• Barrage: a concentrated artillery bombardment (literal) or a rapid outpouring of questions (figurative).
• Hail: a shower of bullets or criticism (e.g., ).
• Volley: a simultaneous discharge of weapons or a burst of remarks (e.g., ).

Related Idioms

• Caught in the crossfire: to be unintentionally involved in a conflict between others.

  • The child was caught in the crossfire of his parents' divorce. (He suffered emotionally due to their argument, though he was not part of it.)

• Crossfire of words: a heated, rapid exchange of verbal attacks.

  • The debate became a crossfire of words, with both speakers interrupting each other. (A fierce verbal conflict.)