covering fire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low-frequency, domain-specific)Formal, Technical (Military), Figurative (Informal)
Quick answer
What does “covering fire” mean?
Military fire used to protect friendly forces while they are moving or attacking, by forcing enemy forces to take cover or suppressing their ability to return fire.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Military fire used to protect friendly forces while they are moving or attacking, by forcing enemy forces to take cover or suppressing their ability to return fire.
A metaphorical term for any form of protection or support that allows someone to act freely, shielding them from criticism, opposition, or danger.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. The term is identical in both military doctrines and lexicons.
Connotations
Identical strong military connotations. In figurative use, slightly more common in American business/politics journalism.
Frequency
Equally rare in general language, but standard within military and related genres (history, games, journalism) in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “covering fire” in a Sentence
[Unit/Person] + provide/lay down + covering fire + for + [Unit/Person/Activity][Unit/Person] + advance/retreat + under covering fireVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “covering fire” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The platoon will cover the advance with fire from the ridge.
- We need to cover their retreat effectively.
American English
- The squad covered the medic's movement with sustained fire.
- Armor is covering the infantry's advance.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable for this noun phrase; no direct adverbial form)
American English
- (Not applicable for this noun phrase; no direct adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- The covering barrage was crucial to the operation's success.
- They executed a covering manoeuvre under heavy fire.
American English
- The covering force took up defensive positions.
- We had covering artillery on standby.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The CEO provided covering fire for the marketing team during the difficult product launch.'
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or military studies texts to describe tactical actions.
Everyday
Extremely rare, possibly in gaming or metaphorical discussion of teamwork.
Technical
Standard tactical term in military manuals, doctrine, and reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “covering fire”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “covering fire”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “covering fire”
- Using "cover fire" (less common but acceptable) or "covering fires" (plural is rare and context-specific). Confusing it with "covering" as in 'a blanket'. Using it for static defence rather than active support for movement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A barrage is a prolonged, heavy discharge of artillery. Covering fire is a broader term for any fire used to protect friendly forces; a barrage can be one form of covering fire.
Yes, it's commonly used as a metaphor in business, politics, and sports to mean providing support or distraction that allows someone else to act.
It is a compound noun phrase, written as two separate words: 'covering fire'.
They are very similar and often overlap. 'Suppressive fire' specifically aims to degrade enemy performance, forcing them to take cover. 'Covering fire' is the broader purpose of protection, which is achieved through suppression.
Military fire used to protect friendly forces while they are moving or attacking, by forcing enemy forces to take cover or suppressing their ability to return fire.
Covering fire is usually formal, technical (military), figurative (informal) in register.
Covering fire: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvərɪŋ ˈfaɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvərɪŋ ˈfaɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lay down covering fire”
- “under the covering fire of”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a friend COVERING you with a FIRE hose to keep aggressive bees away while you run to safety.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SHIELD OF PROJECTILES; SUPPORT IS MILITARY TACTICS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'covering fire' used LEAST appropriately?