Be/come under fire

usgb
phrase

To face criticism or judgment.

The city mayor's decision to raise taxes has come under fire.
Visual representation of "be/come under fire" - To face criticism or judgment

Often appears as...

  • come under fire from
  • come under fire for

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "be/come under fire"
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Metaphorical use

Often used metaphorically to describe non-physical attacks, such as verbal criticism or media backlash.

Illustration for Metaphorical use
The company's new policy came under fire from environmental groups.
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Not always fair

The phrase may imply criticism that's harsh or not entirely justified.

Illustration for Not always fair
Despite his efforts, the director's film came under fire for its historical inaccuracies.
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Journalism staple

Commonly used in news and journalism to report controversies or disputes.

Illustration for Journalism staple
The new legislation has come under fire from several human rights organizations.
Visual representation of the word "Be/come under fire"

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