line of fire, in the

in the line of fire

In a position to encounter something unpleasant, such as punishment. You'll be in the line of fire if the boss finds out you signed off on that printing error.

See also: fire, line, of

line of fire, in the

In the path of an an attack, as in Whenever Audrey and Jeff quarrel, I take care to get out of the line of fire. This expression, dating from the mid-1800s, originally referred to the path of a bullet or other projectile, a meaning also still current. Also see firing line.

See also: line, of