- firing line
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1. Mil.a. the positions at which troops are stationed to fire upon the enemy or targets.b. the troops firing from this line.2. the forefront of any action or activity, esp. a controversy.[1880-85]
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Universalium. 2010.
firing line
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Firing Line — (1966 1999) was an American public affairs show founded and hosted by conservative William F. Buckley, Jr. Its 1,504 episodes over 33 years made Firing Line the longest running public affairs show in television history with a single host. The… … Wikipedia
firing line — firing lines also firing line 1) N COUNT: usu the N in sing, usu prep N If you are in the firing line in a conflict, you are in a position where someone is aiming their gun at you. Any hostages in the firing line would have been sacrificed... He… … English dictionary
firing line — UK US noun [S] ● be in the firing line Cf. be in the firing line … Financial and business terms
firing line — To be in the firing line is to face blame or adverse criticism; the image is of the front line of troops facing the enemy in battle. It is the worst kind of pedantry to insist (as some do) that the correct form should be in the line of fire,… … Modern English usage
firing line — n (be) in the firing line to be in a position or situation in which you can be attacked or blamed for something, often unfairly … Dictionary of contemporary English
firing line — n. 1. the line from which gunfire is directed against the enemy 2. the troops stationed along this line 3. the forefront in any kind of activity … English World dictionary
firing line — ► NOUN 1) the front line of troops in a battle. 2) a position where one is subject to criticism or blame … English terms dictionary
firing line — noun 1. the line from which soldiers deliver fire • Hypernyms: ↑line 2. the most advanced and responsible group in an activity the firing line is where the action is • Hypernyms: ↑class, ↑stratum, ↑social class, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
firing line — /ˈfaɪərɪŋ laɪn / (say fuyuhring luyn) noun 1. the positions at which troops are stationed to fire upon the enemy or targets. 2. the troops firing from this line. –phrase 3. in the firing line, a. in the thick of the action: *My horse has the pace …
firing line — fir|ing line [ faırıŋ ,laın ] noun be in/out of the firing line 1. ) to be/not be criticized or blamed: After any defeat, their manager is always in the firing line. 2. ) to be/not be in danger … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
firing line — Someone who is in the firing line is in a position to be criticized because of their responsibilities or the position they hold. The managing director of the bank is in the firing line since the fraud was discovered … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
