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

See Examples For:

firing line

New York, Boston and Philadelphia were all in the firing line of the "Nor'easter" -- so labeled for its northeasterly winds -- as authorities warned of potential flooding, downed trees and damaged power lines.

From Barron's ● Sep. 25, 2026

With bets on a hike rising, stocks are in the firing line, with all three main indexes on Wall Street in the red and Europe also taking a hiding.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

They said there was no current plan for the kind of complex escorts that in dozens of missions starting in 1987 put Navy ships directly in Iran’s firing line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026

Northern and western parts of the UK will be in the firing line for more active weather fronts bringing spells of rain.

From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2026

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