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]

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Example Sentences

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

At least one officer then opened fire, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Oli has denied ordering security forces to open fire on protesters, and has told AFP that he blames "infiltrators" for the violence.

From Barron's

"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

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

From Barron's

Related Words

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