draw fire
Encounter criticism, as in His recent article was bound to draw fire. This expression uses the verb draw in the sense of “attract” or “provoke,” and transfers fire in the sense of “gunfire” to a somewhat milder attack.
Words Nearby draw fire
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
How to use draw fire in a sentence
Its advantage lies in the fact that it offers a less definite target, hence is less likely to draw fire.
Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911 | United States War DepartmentTo "draw fire" she whistled, a forbidden joy, which only attracted more attention, instead of diverting it.
New Chronicles of Rebecca | Kate Douglas WigginA common device is to conceal the parapet as well as possible and to make a dummy trench some distance away to draw fire.
Its advantages lie in the fact that it offers a less definite target, hence is less likely to draw fire.
Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army | War Department.Verkan Vall gave it a short burst, though it was probably only a dummy, dropped to draw fire.
Last Enemy | Henry Beam Piper
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