under continuous fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under continuous fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is facing ongoing criticism, attack, or pressure, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The politician found himself under continuous fire from the media after his controversial remarks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Weiss and his comrades, however, held Hill 314 under continuous fire for six days, while the artillery shells he called in destroyed around 100 tanks.

Independent

Turner rescued both men while under continuous fire from U-38, for this he was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal.

Wikipedia

The standing barrage lifts were to keep all trenches within 1500 yards of the infantry under continuous fire and targets fired on by 4.5-inch howitzer, 6-inch howitzer and 8-inch howitzers were to change from them only when infantry got within 300 yards.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The sapping was difficult and dangerous and the sappers worked under continuous attack from the castle's defenders, who fired on them with small arms and the castle's artillery and dropped rocks and debris on their heads.

Wikipedia

Under continuous shell fire for three months, the company and the 38th (Welsh Infantry Divisionn held their section of the line, with a unit under Denning's command building a bridge to allow infantry to advance over the River Ancre.

Wikipedia

"There was continuous fire from mortars and machine guns".

The New York Times

Most modeling approaches that we have discussed so far aim at capturing the (time-dependent) firing rate of a neuron under continuous, stationary stimulus conditions.

Biological Cybernetics

These woodlands, however, are under continuous pressure from land clearing for agriculture and charcoal production as well as fire [33].

Carbon Balance and Management

HIFU sonication using repeated gating under continuous breathing consists of applying the acoustic energy in portions similar to strobe lights and firing each time that the target is in the same position.

BioMed Research International

Once an ROI was selected from the pre-converted (Dendra2 green-form) fluorescence imaging of the live cells, activation pulses were fired every 100 frames, and videos of several thousands of frames were acquired under continuous 561 nm illumination (typically 2000 to 10,000 frames per cell).

eLife

Australian sovereignty will be under continuous hazard.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under continuous fire" in a military context, ensure accuracy in describing the type of fire (e.g., machine-gun fire, artillery fire) for a more precise depiction.

Common error

Avoid using "under continuous fire" in contexts where the situation involves mild or infrequent opposition. This phrase implies a severe and sustained level of adversity; using it lightly diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under continuous fire" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being subjected to sustained attacks or intense pressure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under continuous fire" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English that describes a state of being subjected to sustained attacks, pressure, or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in occurrence, it's found across various contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific domains. It functions as a prepositional phrase conveying ongoing adversity, suitable for both formal and informal registers. Alternative phrases like "under sustained attack" or "facing relentless pressure" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under sustained attack

Emphasizes the prolonged nature of the attack, focusing on its endurance.

subject to relentless pressure

Highlights the unyielding nature of the pressure applied.

facing constant bombardment

Suggests a continuous stream of criticism or attacks, similar to artillery bombardment.

incessantly targeted

Focuses on the unwavering nature of being the target of attacks or criticism.

constantly besieged

Implies being surrounded by challenges and attacks, like a city under siege.

experiencing ongoing assault

Highlights the continuing aggressive nature of the attacks.

under persistent scrutiny

Focuses on continuous, close examination and potential criticism.

continually challenged

Emphasizes the ongoing questioning and contesting of actions or ideas.

enduring unremitting criticism

Highlights the relentless and harsh nature of the criticism being faced.

in the line of fire

Refers to being exposed to danger, attack, or strong criticism.

FAQs

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

You can use "under continuous fire" to describe situations where someone or something is facing ongoing attacks or intense criticism. For example, "The politician was "under continuous fire" from the opposition party after the scandal broke".

What are some alternatives to saying "under continuous fire"?

Alternatives to "under continuous fire" include "under sustained attack", "facing relentless pressure", or "subject to constant bombardment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "under continuous fire" or "under constant fire"?

Both "under continuous fire" and "under constant fire" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference, although "continuous" might subtly emphasize the unbroken nature of the fire, while "constant" focuses on its steady recurrence.

What's the difference between "under fire" and "under continuous fire"?

"Under fire" generally means being attacked or criticized, while "under continuous fire" implies that the attacks or criticisms are ongoing and unrelenting. The addition of "continuous" emphasizes the sustained nature of the adversity.