crossfire

American  

[kraws-fahyer, kros‐] / ˈkrɔsˌfaɪər, ˈkrɒs‐ /

Or cross fire

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.

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crossfire British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌfaɪə /

noun

1. military converging fire from one or more positions

2. a lively exchange of ideas, opinions, etc

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Etymology

Origin of crossfire

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

But some casinos caught in the crossfire reportedly housed civilians.

From Barron's

Less than three weeks later, we were in the crossfire on Bondi Beach.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Innocent people also get caught up in the crossfire," she told public broadcaster SABC.

From BBC

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.

From MarketWatch

In any case, that brings us to today, where editorials are flying and all sorts of innocents are being caught in the crossfire.

From Salon

Related Words

• blast
• bombardment
• fusillade
• gunfire
• hail
• salvo
• shelling
• shower
• storm
• volley