crossfire

Or cross fire

[kraws-fahyer, kros‐]

noun

1. lines of gunfire from two or more positions or combatants crossing one another, or a single one of such lines.

2. a brisk exchange of words or opinions.

3. a situation involving conflicting claims, forces, etc.

crossfire

/ ˈkrɒsˌfaɪə /

noun

1. military converging fire from one or more positions

2. a lively exchange of ideas, opinions, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of crossfire¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

There’s not much pedestrian traffic because the town sits in the heart of a cartel war zone, and anyone who walks the streets risks being caught in crossfire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

How the lowly soybean got trapped in the crossfire of the U.S.-China trade wars.

Read more on MarketWatch

Breaking up with China is hard to do—especially for Europe, caught in the U.S.-China trade war crossfire.

Read more on Barron's

The chief executive of Mercedes-Benz said the luxury automaker is “scurrying” around looking for alternatives after a key microchip maker was caught in the geopolitical crossfire between the U.S. and China.

Read more on MarketWatch

Dozens of people were injured, including civilians caught in the crossfire.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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