firing line

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.

firing line

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of firing line¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

One of its experts Graeme Stuart said: "To deliberately put children and schools in the firing line, is indefensible. Frankly, it is appalling."

Read more on BBC

She then suffered racist abuse following the quarter-final, and was taken out of the firing line by starting the Italy match on the substitutes' bench.

Read more on BBC

In 2013-14, the young Root was dropped for the final Test, taken out of the firing line of the rampaging Mitchell Johnson.

Read more on BBC

With his constitutional revamp to a supposedly "parliamentary" system, Gnassingbé aims to retain full control, yet step his own personality back from the political firing line.

Read more on BBC

Services including diabetes care for young people, rehab centres and talking therapies are in the firing line, according to NHS Providers, which represents health managers.

Read more on BBC