Crossfire

/ˈkrɔːsfaɪər/
noun

In a battle or argument, when a person or group is caught between two opponents shooting or arguing, they are in crossfire.

The innocent bystander was caught in the crossfire during the bank robbery.
Visual representation of "crossfire" - In a battle or argument, when a person or group is caught between two opponents shooting or arguing, they are in crossfire.

Often appears as...

  • caught in the crossfire
  • crossfire of criticism
noun

In a conversation, when one person is being questioned or criticized by several people at once, they are in crossfire.

The politician was in the crossfire of the press after the scandal broke.
Visual representation of "crossfire" - In a conversation, when one person is being questioned or criticized by several people at once, they are in crossfire.

Often appears as...

  • caught in the crossfire
  • under crossfire
noun

In the sports context, crossfire refers to a situation where a player is being attacked or defended by multiple opponents at the same time.

The star player found himself in the crossfire of the opposing team's defense.
Visual representation of "crossfire" - In the sports context, crossfire refers to a situation where a player is being attacked or defended by multiple opponents at the same time.

Often appears as...

  • caught in the crossfire
  • under crossfire

Usage tips

Technical

noun

In a battle or argument, when a person or group is caught between two opponents shooting or arguing, they are in crossfire.

The innocent bystander was caught in the crossfire during the bank robbery.
Visual representation of "crossfire" - In a battle or argument, when a person or group is caught between two opponents shooting or arguing, they are in crossfire.

Often appears as...

  • caught in the crossfire
  • crossfire of criticism
noun

In a conversation, when one person is being questioned or criticized by several people at once, they are in crossfire.

The politician was in the crossfire of the press after the scandal broke.
Visual representation of "crossfire" - In a conversation, when one person is being questioned or criticized by several people at once, they are in crossfire.

Often appears as...

  • caught in the crossfire
  • under crossfire
noun

In the sports context, crossfire refers to a situation where a player is being attacked or defended by multiple opponents at the same time.

The star player found himself in the crossfire of the opposing team's defense.
Visual representation of "crossfire" - In the sports context, crossfire refers to a situation where a player is being attacked or defended by multiple opponents at the same time.

Often appears as...

  • caught in the crossfire
  • under crossfire

Usage tips

Technical

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "crossfire"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Literal Danger

Crossfire implies actual risk from physical conflict, often with deadly consequences.

Illustration for Literal Danger
During the uprising, several journalists found themselves in the crossfire.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

Being 'in the crossfire' usually suggests an undesirable situation, often used negatively.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The tourists accidentally walked into the crossfire between the rival gangs.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Unintended Involvement

'Caught in the crossfire' often describes those unintentionally affected by others' conflicts.

Illustration for Unintended Involvement
The small business was caught in the crossfire of the corporate lawsuit.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Literal Danger

Crossfire implies actual risk from physical conflict, often with deadly consequences.

Illustration for Literal Danger
During the uprising, several journalists found themselves in the crossfire.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

Being 'in the crossfire' usually suggests an undesirable situation, often used negatively.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The tourists accidentally walked into the crossfire between the rival gangs.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Unintended Involvement

'Caught in the crossfire' often describes those unintentionally affected by others' conflicts.

Illustration for Unintended Involvement
The small business was caught in the crossfire of the corporate lawsuit.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Literal Danger

Crossfire implies actual risk from physical conflict, often with deadly consequences.

Illustration for Literal Danger
During the uprising, several journalists found themselves in the crossfire.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

Being 'in the crossfire' usually suggests an undesirable situation, often used negatively.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
The tourists accidentally walked into the crossfire between the rival gangs.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Unintended Involvement

'Caught in the crossfire' often describes those unintentionally affected by others' conflicts.

Illustration for Unintended Involvement
The small business was caught in the crossfire of the corporate lawsuit.
Visual representation of the word "Crossfire"

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Video examples

Do we really need...

which is resistant to over 50 different insecticides. Another downside is that other bugs get caught in the crossfire. Some of these are helpful predators of plant pests or vital pollinators, so erasing them from agriculture wipes out their benefits, too. Pesticides have improved over time

Video examples

Ethan Nadelmann: Why we...

police and military drawn into an unwinnable war that violates basic rights, and ordinary citizens just hope they don't get caught in the crossfire, and meanwhile, more people using more drugs than ever. It's my country's history with alcohol prohibition

Video examples

Baboon Parenting PIPE Wild...

can be very dangerous for a baby baboon to get caught in the crossfire but for babies especially orphans the pros outweigh the cons the male will not only protect his youngster from rival males but also from predators like lions and

Video examples

Ruthless Killer Bike...

innocent life the crossfire the first innocent victim of the war happened to be a child of 11 year old by

Video examples

Do we really need...

which is resistant to over 50 different insecticides. Another downside is that other bugs get caught in the crossfire. Some of these are helpful predators of plant pests or vital pollinators, so erasing them from agriculture wipes out their benefits, too. Pesticides have improved over time

Video examples

Ethan Nadelmann: Why we...

police and military drawn into an unwinnable war that violates basic rights, and ordinary citizens just hope they don't get caught in the crossfire, and meanwhile, more people using more drugs than ever. It's my country's history with alcohol prohibition

Video examples

Baboon Parenting PIPE Wild...

can be very dangerous for a baby baboon to get caught in the crossfire but for babies especially orphans the pros outweigh the cons the male will not only protect his youngster from rival males but also from predators like lions and

Video examples

Ruthless Killer Bike...

innocent life the crossfire the first innocent victim of the war happened to be a child of 11 year old by

Example 1 of 4

Quote examples

Brendan I. Koerner

American Author

In the early years of America's skyjacking epidemic, the airlines were reluctant to let the FBI attempt to end hijackings by force; they feared that innocents would get caught in the crossfire, thereby sparking a wave of negative publicity.
Portrait of Brendan I. Koerner

Quote examples

Howard Schultz

American Businessman

We woke up one day, and all the sudden Starbucks was in the middle of this political crossfire between the people who want to bring a gun into Starbucks and the people who want to prevent it. It is a very difficult, fragile situation.
Portrait of Howard Schultz

Quote examples

Roma Downey

Irish Actress

Extraordinarily, I was up in the cemetery in Derry City, and I had a red cape on with a fur hood as a little girl, when a gun battle broke out between the IRA and the British Army, and I got caught in the crossfire.
Portrait of Roma Downey

Quote examples

Joe Scarborough

American Politician

This is all about a media war that continues to rage between the old and new media. Unfortunately for our soldiers, these brave Americans are caught in the crossfire.
Portrait of Joe Scarborough

Quote examples

Leigh Bardugo

Israeli Author

I think I'm always interested in the people who aren't generals or master spies or royalty. The people caught in the crossfire.
Portrait of Leigh Bardugo

Quote examples

H. W. Brands

American Historian

If - heaven forbid - a shooter did come into my class, I wouldn't want to have to worry about getting caught in a crossfire.
Portrait of H. W. Brands

Quote examples

Brendan I. Koerner

American Author

In the early years of America's skyjacking epidemic, the airlines were reluctant to let the FBI attempt to end hijackings by force; they feared that innocents would get caught in the crossfire, thereby sparking a wave of negative publicity.
Portrait of Brendan I. Koerner

Quote examples

Howard Schultz

American Businessman

We woke up one day, and all the sudden Starbucks was in the middle of this political crossfire between the people who want to bring a gun into Starbucks and the people who want to prevent it. It is a very difficult, fragile situation.
Portrait of Howard Schultz

Quote examples

Roma Downey

Irish Actress

Extraordinarily, I was up in the cemetery in Derry City, and I had a red cape on with a fur hood as a little girl, when a gun battle broke out between the IRA and the British Army, and I got caught in the crossfire.
Portrait of Roma Downey

Quote examples

Joe Scarborough

American Politician

This is all about a media war that continues to rage between the old and new media. Unfortunately for our soldiers, these brave Americans are caught in the crossfire.
Portrait of Joe Scarborough

Quote examples

Leigh Bardugo

Israeli Author

I think I'm always interested in the people who aren't generals or master spies or royalty. The people caught in the crossfire.
Portrait of Leigh Bardugo

Quote examples

H. W. Brands

American Historian

If - heaven forbid - a shooter did come into my class, I wouldn't want to have to worry about getting caught in a crossfire.
Portrait of H. W. Brands
Example 1 of 6
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