caught in the crossfire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught in the crossfire" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase typically refers to someone or something stuck between two opposing sides, and usually implies danger. For example, you could say, "The civilian was caught in the crossfire when the two armies clashed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'd be caught in the crossfire.

The New Yorker

Transposons were merely caught in the crossfire.

The New Yorker

AIM was caught in the crossfire.

Independent

Emerging markets are caught in the crossfire.

The New York Times

Local residents are caught in the crossfire.

The Guardian

One customer was caught in the crossfire.

The New York Times

The Syriac population was caught in the crossfire.

Independent

Even economists have been caught in the crossfire.

The Economist

Ordinary Kurds risk being caught in the crossfire.

The Economist

It has been almost literally caught in the crossfire.

The Economist

Those people were "caught in the crossfire," Ms. Wright said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught in the crossfire" to describe situations where someone or something is unintentionally harmed by a conflict, dispute, or competition between others. Ensure the context clearly establishes the conflict and the unintended nature of the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "caught in the crossfire" when the harm is a direct and intended consequence. The phrase specifically implies unintended harm resulting from a conflict between other parties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught in the crossfire" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where a person or entity is unintentionally harmed or affected by a conflict between others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught in the crossfire" is an idiomatic expression used to describe situations where someone or something is unintentionally harmed by a conflict between others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki sources. The phrase conveys unintended consequences and the vulnerability of those not directly involved in the conflict. Alternatives like "collateral damage" and "innocent bystander" offer similar meanings, while best practices emphasize using the phrase when harm is unintended and results from a conflict between other parties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collateral damage

This is a more concise and widely understood term for unintended harm.

unintended victim

Focuses on the person being harmed without being the target.

innocent bystander

Highlights the innocence and uninvolved nature of the affected party.

stuck in the middle

Implies a position between conflicting parties, often leading to negative consequences.

victim of circumstance

Emphasizes the role of external events in causing harm.

an innocent party

Highlights the innocence of the third party affected.

affected indirectly

Emphasizes that negative outcomes are not targeted or intended.

undeserving recipient

Highlights the injustice of receiving negative outcomes.

suffering secondary consequences

Describes the harm as a result of the actions of others.

being in the wrong place at the wrong time

Suggests bad luck as a primary factor in the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "caught in the crossfire" in a sentence?

Use "caught in the crossfire" to describe someone or something unintentionally affected by a conflict. For example, "Civilians were "caught in the crossfire" during the gang war".

What does it mean to be "caught in the crossfire"?

Being "caught in the crossfire" means being unintentionally harmed or affected by a conflict or dispute between others. It implies being in a vulnerable position due to circumstances beyond one's control.

What can I say instead of "caught in the crossfire"?

You can use alternatives like "collateral damage", "innocent bystander", or "victim of circumstance" depending on the specific context.

Is "caught in the crossfire" only used in literal conflicts?

No, "caught in the crossfire" can be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone is unintentionally affected by a dispute or competition, such as in business or politics.