come under fire

USAGE SUMMARY

'come under fire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to criticism or attack. Example: The politician's policies have come under fire from their opponents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Democrats also come under fire.

The New York Times

The zone itself would come under fire.

The Economist

Even interjections can come under fire.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When they come under fire they scatter.

The Economist

Other big banks have come under fire.

The New York Times

Rahman continued to come under fire.

The Guardian

But the orders have come under fire.

The New York Times

Outside, they have barely come under fire.

The Guardian

Their suggestions have, however, come under fire.

The Guardian

But Twitter has come under fire.

The New York Times

Ofsted's impartiality has come under fire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come under fire" when you want to describe a situation where someone or something is facing strong criticism or attack. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "come under fire" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, consider rephrasing to highlight the source of the criticism or attack for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come under fire" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a subject is the recipient of criticism or an attack. Ludwig examples show that it describes situations where individuals, policies, or organizations are facing scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come under fire" is a commonly used expression indicating strong criticism or attack. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, with various examples demonstrating its applicability across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, academic, and formal business settings. While grammatically sound, overusing passive constructions should be avoided for more impactful writing. Alternatives such as "face criticism" or "be subjected to scrutiny" offer nuanced variations for conveying opposition or censure. Therefore, understanding its proper usage and potential alternatives enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face criticism

Focuses on the act of being criticized.

receive backlash

Focuses on a strong negative reaction.

be subjected to scrutiny

Emphasizes a thorough examination or investigation.

be called into question

Indicates doubts or uncertainties being raised.

draw flak

Informal term for receiving strong criticism.

be censured

Indicates formal disapproval or condemnation.

encounter opposition

Highlights resistance or disagreement.

be reprimanded

Highlights a formal rebuke or scolding.

be attacked

Directly indicates an assault, either verbal or physical.

meet with disapproval

Emphasizes a lack of acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "come under fire" in a sentence?

You can use "come under fire" to indicate that someone or something is facing criticism or attack. For example, "The company's new policy has "come under fire" from employees."

What is a synonym for "come under fire"?

Synonyms for "come under fire" include "face criticism", "be subjected to scrutiny", or "draw flak", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "come under fire" or "come under attack"?

"Come under fire" typically implies criticism or strong opposition, while "come under attack" suggests a more direct and aggressive assault. The best choice depends on the specific context. If it's more of a verbal or policy dispute, "come under fire" is better. If it's a physical or aggressive action, "come under attack" is more appropriate.

What does it mean when something "comes under fire"?

When something "comes under fire", it means that it is being strongly criticized or attacked, either verbally or in writing. It implies that the subject is facing scrutiny and negative feedback.