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under fire

being strongly criticized

In Headline Expressions

In more detail

1. (idiom) being criticized or attacked by many people

2. (idiom) being shot at or attacked with weapons

Examples

• 1. The government is under fire for its handling of the economy.
• 2. The soldiers came under fire from enemy forces in the valley.

How to use under fire

This idiom can mean either literal military attack (being shot at) or figurative criticism and blame from multiple people or sources. In modern usage, the figurative sense is far more common in everyday contexts, particularly in business, politics, and media discussions. It conveys the sense of being pressured, targeted, or subject to sustained negative attention.

Common phrases

• come under fire
• under fire for
• under fire from
• draw fire
• heavy fire

Synonyms

under attack · under siege · facing criticism · being criticized · in the line of fire

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'under fire' for a single critic or isolated incident, but it typically implies multiple attackers or widespread criticism, not isolated blame.

Nearby in Headline Expressions

a tipping point, a wake-up call, in the crosshairs, on thin ice, draw a line in the sand, throw cold water on

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained