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under fire
01
(of a person or place) being the target of a shooting
02
used of a person or an organization that is facing strong and negative feedback
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "under fire" and when to use it?
The idiom "under fire" has military origins, referring to a situation where soldiers are subjected to enemy gunfire. In a metaphorical sense, the phrase is used to describe the idea of being in a challenging or hostile environment where one is under attack, typically in the form of harsh words, disapproval, or public negativity.
Examples
After the controversial decision, the CEO found himself under fire from both employees and shareholders who questioned his leadership.
