curtain-fire

A soldier advances under a curtain-fire during a training exercise.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Military: "curtain-fire" refers to a heavy and continuous artillery barrage designed to create a wall of fire across a specific area, typically to protect advancing troops or block enemy movement. It is synonymous with a "barrage" or "creeping barrage."

Usage Examples

• (The artillery barrage protected them as they moved forward.)
• (A continuous artillery barrage was used to block the enemy.)

Advanced Usage

• "to lay down curtain-fire": to initiate or maintain a heavy artillery barrage.

  • The artillery unit laid down curtain-fire for three hours before the infantry assault. (They maintained a continuous barrage.)

• "curtain-fire zone": the area affected by such a barrage.

  • The enemy troops were trapped in the curtain-fire zone. (They were caught in the area under continuous artillery fire.)

Variants and Related Words

• Barrage (n): a concentrated artillery bombardment.

  • The barrage lasted all night. (The heavy artillery fire continued.)

• Creeping barrage (n): a moving artillery barrage that advances slowly ahead of infantry.

  • The creeping barrage allowed the soldiers to advance safely. (The artillery fire moved forward with the troops.)

Synonyms

• Barrage: a continuous artillery fire.
• Fire curtain: a less common synonym for curtain-fire.
• Artillery screen: a protective wall of fire.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms