caught in the crossfire

1. Literally in the middle of an exchange of gunfire. Police officers are often caught in the crossfire when apprehending criminals.

2. Affected by or made to be involved in a conflict or issue that one is not a part of. I was caught in the crossfire of their argument over the budget, but I refused to take sides and told them to work it out on their own.

caught in the crossfire

1. Lit. trapped between two lines of enemy fire. I was caught in the crossfire and dove into a ditch to keep from getting killed.

2. and caught in the middle Fig. caught between two arguing people or groups, making it difficult to remain neutral. Bill and Ann were arguing, and poor Bobby, their son, was caught in the middle.

See also: caught, crossfire

References in periodicals archive ?

The movie is about a couple caught in the crossfire of the government's war on drugs as their son goes missing.

Veteran actors star in movie set to compete at Toronto film fest in Sept

We rejoin the team at a refugee camp in France, where Dylan's frustration gets the better of him, and a burning bottle causes another struggle for Jez as Robyn and baby Charlotte are at risk of being caught in the crossfire.

SATURDAY AUGUST 26; TV GUIDE

Mr Manfredi said a 64-year-old man who was caught in the crossfire got shot in the arm.

Shooting at San Francisco Pride; WORLD BULLETINS

Summary: The consulate was reportedly caught in the crossfire between rival Libyan armed factions, but no casualties were reported.

Moroccan Consulate in Libya Attacked

Solomon is caught in the crossfire and seeks respite in the company of abolitionist Bass (Brad Pitt), who believes "slavery is an evil that should befall none".

on dvd

Another 27 per cent of victims were caught in the crossfire of gun battles.

DEADLIEST YEAR FOR WAR KIDS

The bill is titled "An Act to provide compensation, reimbursement for hospitalisation expenses, and other benefits, to civilians caught in the crossfire between rebels and the military, and for other purposes," or the "Civilian Compensation Act of 2013.

Philippines mulls law to compensate victims of war on rebels

After the 11-year-old was tragically caught in the crossfire of a shooting as he walked to football practice, his parents Melanie and Stephen Jones set up a trust fund in his memory.

GO AHEAD FOR RHYS CENTRE

THE artistic partnership kennardphillipps, Peter Kennard and Cat Picton Phillips, whose work is on show in Coventry at the Herbert's current exhibition Caught In The Crossfire, will be carry ing out a residency at the gallery from Wednesday until February 17.

BRUSH STROKES

A BRITISH tourist has been shot dead at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand after getting caught in the crossfire of a gun fight between local gangs.

Brit 'shot dead' in Thai bar row

He said a civilian caught in the crossfire was also wounded in the clash, adding police did not suffer any loss of life.

One Taliban dead, two wounded in firelight

This particular shooting gained the media's interest when it was alleged that a child was responsible for the attack, and Rhys had become caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs on the one-year anniversary of the murder of a prominent local gang leader.

Tragic Rhys' parents relive horror

Summary: Fresh fighting between hardline Islamists and pro-government militiamen in central Somalia has claimed 13 lives with civilians caught in the crossfire, an elder and a witness said Sunday.

Fighting in central Somalia claims 13 lives

28 (ANI): Sri Lanka has assured India that the safe zone for Tamil civilians caught in the crossfire between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE would be expanded.

Sri Lanka assures India of safe passage to Tamil civilians

THE death of the innocent victim caught in the crossfire of evil gangland fighting leaves yet another Irish family heartbroken.