hail of fire

USAGE SUMMARY

"hail of fire" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large number of bullets, bombs, or other projectiles raining down on something or someone. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a sudden and intense attack or onslaught. Example: The soldiers were met with a hail of fire as they stormed the enemy's position. Example: The politician faced a hail of fire from the media after making controversial remarks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

One football player, Samuel Hammond, died in the hail of fire from the state troopers.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who had not been struck hugged the earth as the hail of fire continued.

The New York Times

In the battle, coalition forces advanced under a hail of fire from militants on higher ground, the statement said.

The New York Times

Don't the doomsday believers have enough real problems to worry about without stressing over the prospect that humanity might disappear in a hail of fire and brimstone?

The New York Times

This is not the spirit that took Anglo-Saxon forces into a hail of fire and onto the Normandy beaches — to free the French, it will be recalled.

The New York Times

They described a hail of fire in the densely populated neighborhood that also killed Widad Ajrami, 30, a mother of four.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The withering hail-of-fire inflicted heavy casualties on the King's, one of whom was the wounded Lieutenant-Colonel Carter.

Wikipedia

It consisted of a couple of aerial bombardments, waves of artillery and rocket fire, and, just before sundown, ended in the headlong flight of the fighters under a hail of rocket fire as Qaddafi's troops seemed to advance with new resolve.

The New Yorker

The guards "withdrew to the mountainside" and "began a hail of rifle fire," he wrote.

The New Yorker

How can you stand up in a hail of tracer fire and suppress the instinct to duck?

The Guardian

In a hail of enemy fire, Mr. Kerry turned the boat around to pull Mr. Rassmann from the water.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hail of fire" to vividly describe situations where there is a dense and overwhelming barrage of bullets or other projectiles. It's most effective when conveying a sense of chaos and danger.

Common error

Avoid using "hail of fire" to describe verbal or metaphorical attacks unless the context clearly implies a destructive and overwhelming force, similar to a physical barrage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hail of fire" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or prepositional complement. It describes an intense and overwhelming barrage, often in a military or combative context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hail of fire" is a commonly used phrase to describe an intense and overwhelming barrage of bullets or other projectiles. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often used to convey a sense of chaos and danger. While the phrase can be used metaphorically, it should be done carefully to maintain its intended impact. Alternatives like "barrage of gunfire" or "torrent of bullets" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barrage of gunfire

Focuses specifically on the intense and continuous nature of gunfire.

torrent of bullets

Emphasizes the overwhelming and forceful flow of bullets.

onslaught of attacks

Broadens the scope to include various forms of attacks, not just those involving fire.

fusillade of shots

Highlights the rapid and simultaneous firing of many weapons.

storm of projectiles

Refers to any kind of object violently thrown, including bullets or rocks.

heavy bombardment

Emphasizes the use of heavy artillery or bombs.

intensive shelling

Pertains specifically to artillery fire, excluding other types of attack.

fierce crossfire

Highlights fire coming from multiple directions.

relentless assault

Focuses on the continuous and determined nature of the attack.

aerial attack

Highlights an offensive, launched from aircraft.

FAQs

How is "hail of fire" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "hail of fire" is used to describe a situation where many bullets or other projectiles are being fired rapidly and continuously. For instance, "The soldiers advanced into a "hail of fire" from the enemy's machine guns."

What are some alternatives to the expression "hail of fire"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives such as "barrage of gunfire", "torrent of bullets", or "onslaught of attacks".

Is it correct to use "hail of fire" in a metaphorical sense?

Yes, "hail of fire" can be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming attack, such as a barrage of criticism. However, ensure the metaphor is appropriate and conveys a sense of intensity and destructiveness.

What is the difference between "hail of fire" and "crossfire"?

"Hail of fire" refers to the intensity and volume of projectiles, whereas "crossfire" indicates that the fire is coming from multiple directions. Both terms describe dangerous situations, but focus on different aspects of the attack.