line of fire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral (can be used in formal, informal, and technical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “line of fire” mean?
The direct path along which a bullet, weapon, or dangerous force is aimed or moving.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The direct path along which a bullet, weapon, or dangerous force is aimed or moving.
A position or situation where one is exposed to criticism, blame, danger, or attack from others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term equally in literal and figurative contexts.
Connotations
Same connotations of danger, vulnerability, and direct exposure in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with high frequency in news/media, business, and everyday figurative use.
Grammar
How to Use “line of fire” in a Sentence
[Subject] is/stands in the line of fire.[Subject] put/place [Object] in the line of fire.[Subject] move/get out of the line of fire.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “line of fire” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soldiers were ordered to line-of-fire the position. (rare, jargony)
American English
- The manual describes how to line-of-fire the target area. (rare, technical)
adjective
British English
- He gave a line-of-fire analysis of the risks. (very rare, non-standard)
American English
- A line-of-fire assessment is crucial for safety. (rare, technical/jargon)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when an employee or department faces direct blame or criticism from management or clients (e.g., 'The CFO was in the line of fire during the audit.').
Academic
Rare in pure academic writing; more common in political science, sociology, or history to describe figures facing ideological attack.
Everyday
Commonly used figuratively for any situation where someone faces direct blame, anger, or risk (e.g., 'I was in the line of fire when my parents argued about the mess.').
Technical
Standard military term; also used in ballistics, physics (e.g., trajectory of a projectile), and workplace safety (e.g., industrial hazards).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “line of fire”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “line of fire”
- Using 'line of fire' to mean 'a series of fired shots' (incorrect).
- Confusing with 'line of sight'.
- Using it for minor, non-direct criticism (overuse).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its origin is military, it is now very commonly used figuratively for any situation involving direct exposure to danger, blame, or criticism.
They are often interchangeable figuratively. Literally, 'in the line of fire' means in the path of shots, while 'under fire' means being shot at. Figuratively, 'under fire' can be slightly broader, covering sustained criticism.
Extremely rarely. Its core semantics involve danger and vulnerability. A forced positive use might be ironic (e.g., 'in the line of fire for a promotion' – implying competition).
It is neutral. It is appropriate in formal reports (e.g., safety, military) and casual conversation, depending on the context (literal vs. figurative).
The direct path along which a bullet, weapon, or dangerous force is aimed or moving.
Line of fire: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlaɪn əv ˈfaɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlaɪn əv ˈfaɪər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the crosshairs”
- “in the hot seat”
- “caught in the crossfire”
- “under fire”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a literal LINE drawn on the ground where FIRE (bullets, flames) passes. If you stand on that line, you are in the LINE OF FIRE.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM/ATTACK IS PHYSICAL FIRE; A CONTESTED POSITION IS A BATTLEFIELD.
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is 'line of fire' used FIGURATIVELY?