firing line

American  

noun

1. Military.

   1. the positions at which troops are stationed to fire upon the enemy or targets.

   2. the troops firing from this line.

2. the forefront of any action or activity, especially a controversy.

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firing line British  

noun

1. military

   1. the positions from which fire is delivered

   2. the soldiers occupying these positions

2. the leading or most advanced position in an activity

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Etymology

Origin of firing line

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The Catford fighter put that plan into action and started to punish Flores with hooks as she stepped out of the firing line.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Sentiment in Asia was dragged Tuesday, however, by renewed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the tech sector, with software firms again in the firing line.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

But the stark contrast between near-record profits and sharp rate hikes has put the industry in the regulatory firing line.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

So, anybody who’s making a claim that what they’re working on is accurate is automatically in the firing line.

From Slate • Nov. 17, 2025

And the remedial training is probably why Miss Preston wants to see me, anyway, so it ain't like I'm in any hurry to get to the firing line.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland