under fire

USAGE SUMMARY

"under fire" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that means to be heavily criticized, usually as a result of experiencing a lot of criticism or opposition. Example: The mayor's new plan to reduce homelessness in the city has been under fire from the local community for its lack of resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Under Fire.

Yale University

She's also under fire.

The New York Times

Democrats also come under fire.

The New York Times

Was he really under fire?

The Economist

But he is under fire.

The Economist

She, too, came under fire.

The New York Times

Certainly everyone's under fire.

The New York Times - Sports

He's been under fire.

The New York Times

Cool under fire.

The Guardian - Opinion

The zone itself would come under fire.

The Economist

Floridian newspapers are also under fire.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under fire" when you want to convey that someone or something is facing significant criticism or attack. It's appropriate for situations where the pressure is intense and the stakes are high.

Common error

Avoid using "under fire" for minor disagreements or mild criticism. The phrase implies a significant level of pressure and should be reserved for situations where the scrutiny is severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under fire" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that the subject is experiencing intense criticism, scrutiny, or attack. Ludwig examples illustrate its common use in describing situations where individuals or entities are facing significant pressure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under fire" is a common idiom used to describe situations of intense criticism or attack. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The analysis shows that it functions primarily as an adjective phrase, frequently appearing in news and media contexts to convey the severity of a situation. While alternatives like ""facing heavy criticism" /s/facing+heavy+criticism" or "subject to scrutiny /s/subject+to+scrutiny" exist, understanding the intensity implied by "under fire" is crucial for its appropriate use. The phrase's consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforces its validity and importance in conveying critical scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under attack

Focuses on direct assault, either literal or figurative.

facing heavy criticism

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being criticized.

in the firing line

Implies exposure to direct attacks or criticism.

subject to scrutiny

Emphasizes the aspect of being closely examined.

experiencing backlash

Highlights the negative reaction following an action or decision.

in the hot seat

Implies a position of responsibility and accountability during a difficult situation.

bearing the brunt

Emphasizes enduring the worst part of a difficult situation.

embroiled in controversy

Focuses on involvement in a public dispute or scandal.

taking heat

Suggests facing strong disapproval or anger.

on the defensive

Highlights the need to protect oneself from attacks or accusations.

FAQs

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

You can use "under fire" to describe someone or something facing heavy criticism or attack. For example, "The company's new policy is "facing heavy criticism" /s/facing+heavy+criticism from employees" or "The politician came "under attack" /s/under+attack for his controversial statements".

What are some alternatives to "under fire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "subject to scrutiny /s/subject+to+scrutiny", "in the hot seat /s/in+the+hot+seat", or ""facing heavy criticism" /s/facing+heavy+criticism" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say someone is "under the fire"?

No, the correct idiomatic expression is "under fire", not "under the fire". The absence of "the" is crucial to the phrase's standard usage.

What's the difference between "under fire" and ""under attack" /s/under+attack"?

"Under fire" often implies criticism or intense scrutiny, while ""under attack" /s/under+attack" suggests a more direct and aggressive assault, either physical or verbal. The former can be a precursor to the latter.