line of fire

American  

noun

1. the straight horizontal line from the muzzle of a weapon in the direction of the axis of the bore, just prior to firing.

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line of fire British  

noun

1. the flight path of a missile discharged or to be discharged from a firearm

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Etymology

Origin of line of fire

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Iranian ships are clustering near their country’s coastline while others are positioning themselves south of the strait, well out of the line of fire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Likewise alternative asset managers were also in the line of fire to start the week, given concerns about their potential exposure to software companies through private-credit funds.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

They needed work, even if they were putting themselves in the line of fire.

From Slate • Oct. 27, 2025

Prayers for the dead have become a regular ritual in al-Mabrouka, a neighbourhood in the western al-Thawra district of Omdurman that is in the line of fire between the army and the RSF.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2025

He called the workers together and took responsibility for having sent them into the line of fire, saying his judgment was to blame.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland