open fire

Idioms  

1. Begin a verbal attack, as in In her second letter to the editor she opened fire, saying the reporter had deliberately misquoted her. This idiom alludes to discharging a firearm. [Mid-1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

open fire

Their egg dishes are excellent, the burger is top-notch and the roasted chicken, which is cooked over an open fire in the kitchen, is superb.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026

"Modern UGVs are part-autonomous. They can move on their own, they can observe and detect the enemy. But still, the decision to open fire is made by a human, their operator," Afghan says.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026

Oli has denied he had told the police to open fire on protesters.

From Barron's ● Feb. 16, 2026

Williams was on a mission near the peninsula’s north when he saw seven of the Soviet jets appear and eventually open fire, according to a Defense Department account.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025

“To open fire because provisions are being brought to hungry men . . .” “Mister, I’d like to git a word in right here.”

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

Related Words

• barrage
• batter
• besiege
• blast
• blitz
• bomb
• harass
• hound
• pester
• strafe