cross fire
crossfire
Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross.
The soldiers on the bridge were caught in the crossfire coming from both sides of the bridge.
Fast or angry talking back and forth between two or more people; also, a dispute; a quarrel.
There was a cross fire of excited questions and answers between the parents and the children who had been lost in the woods.
The principal and the graduates quarreled about the football team, and the coach was caught in the cross fire and lost his job.
draw fire
To attract or provoke shooting; be a target.
The general's white horse drew the enemy's fire.
To bring criticism or argument; make people say bad things about you.
Having the newest car in your group is sure to draw fire.
draw off
draw the fire of
To drain away; deflect.
A light flanking attack was made in order to draw off the enemy's fire.
fat is in the fire
Something has happened that will cause trouble or make a bad situation worse.
He found out you took it? Well, the fat's in the fire now.
fight fire with fire
To fight back in the same way one was attacked; make a defense similar to the attack.
The candidate was determined to fight fire with fire in the debate.
firebug
An arsonist; one who willfully sets fire to property.
The police caught the firebug just as he was about to set another barn ablaze in the country.
get on like a house on fire
Сблизиться; крепко подружиться.
It was a perfect marriage. They got on like a house on fire.
Это был идеальный брак. Они жили душа в душу.
hang fire
To fail or be slow in shooting or firing.
Smith pulled the trigger, but the gun hung fire and the deer escaped.
To be slow in beginning; to be delayed; to wait.
The boys' plans for organizing a scout troop hung fire because they could not find a man to be scoutmaster.