come under fire

come under fire

To be subject to intense criticism or judgment. The company came under fire after a newspaper reported allegations of the CEO's misappropriation of funds. You will definitely come under fire if they find out that you were responsible for the printing error.
See also: come, fire
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

come under fire

or

be under fire

COMMON If someone or something comes under fire or is under fire, they are strongly criticized. The president's plan came under fire from critics who said he didn't include enough spending cuts. Britain's prisons are under fire from an international human rights group. Note: This expression comes from the literal meaning of soldiers being under fire, meaning that they are being shot at.
See also: come, fire
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

be/come under ˈfire


1 be shot at: While defending the town we came under fire again last night.
2 be criticized, insulted, etc: The government is already under fire over its housing policy.
See also: come, fire
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be/come under fire
  • through the floor
  • sit in judgment on
  • sit in judgment on (one)
  • run counter to
  • run counter to (someone or something)
  • a knife in the back
  • it's not what you know but who you know
  • on the in, be
  • be on the in
References in periodicals archive
McLeish, 59, (right) has come under fire since Thursday's 2-1 defeat in Israel which has hurt his chances of qualifying for Euro 2020 from the side s door of the Nations League.