COMMON

1. If you are in the firing line or in the line of fire, you are in a position where you are likely to be criticized or attacked. Her views sometimes put her in the firing line of women's rights groups. Since he is in charge of reforming the commission, he was one of those in the line of fire yesterday. Note: You can also say that someone is out of the firing line or out of the line of fire if they are away from a position where they are likely to be criticized or attacked. He wanted to get his client out of the firing line before applying for any court orders.

2. If someone is in the firing line or in the line of fire, they are in the way of people who are firing guns, and therefore likely to be shot. Any hostages in the firing line would have been sacrificed. They forced the men to walk ahead of soldiers, putting them first in the line of fire from the rebels. Note: You can also say that someone is out of the firing line or out of the line of fire if they are away from a position where they are likely to be shot. To get him out of the firing line, she asked the General to appoint Santiago to his staff.