Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of discharging a weapon: The act of shooting a gun, cannon, or other firearm.
   • The act of setting something on fire: The act of igniting something, causing it to burn.
   • The termination of employment: The act of dismissing someone from their job.
   • The act of baking or hardening in a kiln: The process of heating ceramics or bricks in a kiln to harden them.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The constant firing of artillery could be heard from the distance.
  • The firing of the building was ruled an act of arson.
  • His firing from the company was sudden and unexpected.
  • The pottery is fragile before the final firing in the kiln.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the line of fire": to be in a position where one is likely to be attacked or criticized.
  • Journalists often find themselves in the line of fire during conflicts.
• "to come under fire": to be subjected to attack or criticism.
  • The new policy came under fire from opposition parties.

Variants and Related Words

• Fire (n/v): The phenomenon of combustion; to discharge a weapon or dismiss from a job.
• Fired (adj): Having been dismissed from employment.
  • He was fired for misconduct.

Synonyms

• Discharge (n): The action of firing a weapon or dismissing someone.
• Dismissal (n): The act of terminating employment.
• Ignition (n): The action of setting something on fire.
• Shooting (n): The act of firing a gun.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Fire away: An invitation to begin speaking or asking questions.
  • You have questions? Fire away!
• Fire back: To reply quickly or retaliate.
  • The company fired back with a strong statement against the accusations.
• Fire off: To send something quickly or in rapid succession (e.g., a message, a shot).
  • He fired off an angry email to customer service.

Related Idioms

• "Hang fire": To delay or wait.
  • Let's hang fire on that decision until we have more information.
• "Hold your fire": A command to stop shooting; to refrain from criticizing or acting.
  • Hold your fire! I think we can resolve this peacefully.

Noun

1. the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)
2. the act of setting something on fire
3. the act of discharging a gun
4. the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
   • hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
   • they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire