line of fire
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: The path or trajectory along which a bullet, projectile, or missile travels after being fired from a weapon. It describes the dangerous space between the weapon's muzzle and its intended target, or beyond, where anything present could be struck.
Usage
This term is used to describe a zone of immediate danger from gunfire or other projectiles. It is often used in military, law enforcement, and tactical contexts, as well as in general language to describe a position of risk.
Examples: * Soldiers were ordered to stay low to avoid the line of fire. * The hostage was directly in the line of fire. * When the argument started, I was caught in the line of fire between the two angry managers.
Advanced Usage
- To be in/into the line of fire: To be positioned where one is likely to be hit by gunfire or, figuratively, to be in a position to receive blame, criticism, or negative consequences.
- The journalist put himself in the line of fire to get the story.
- As the project manager, she often finds herself in the line of fire when things go wrong.
- To move/get out of the line of fire: To physically move to a safer location or, figuratively, to remove oneself from a situation involving conflict or blame.
- The civilians were told to get out of the line of fire.
Variants and Related Words
- Crossfire (noun): Lines of fire from two or more directions that cross each other, creating an especially dangerous area.
- The patrol was caught in a crossfire between two rival gangs.
Synonyms
- Firing line
- Trajectory (in its specific path sense)
- Path of the bullet/projectile
Related Idioms/Phrases
- In the firing line: This is a closely related idiom with the same core meaning as "in the line of fire," often used interchangeably, especially in figurative contexts involving criticism.
- The CEO was in the firing line during the shareholder meeting.
Noun
- the path of a missile discharged from a firearm