open fire
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open fire
1. verb Literally, to fire or begin firing a gun (at someone). The troops opened fire as soon as they saw the militants exit the building.
2. verb By extension, to begin attacking, criticizing, or interrogating someone. The reporter opened fire on the president with a barrage of intense questions.
3. noun A fire not contained by a fireplace or stove. There's nothing quite like roasting marshmallows over an open fire.
open fire (on someone or something)
to begin shooting at someone or something. The troops opened fire on the enemy. The trainees opened fire on the target.
open fire
(on someone) Fig. to start (doing something, such as asking questions or criticizing). (Based on open fire on someone or something.) The reporters opened fire on the mayor. When the reporters opened fire, the mayor was smiling, but not for long.
open fire
Begin a verbal attack, as in In her second letter to the editor she opened fire, saying the reporter had deliberately misquoted her . This idiom alludes to discharging a firearm. [Mid-1800s]
open ˈfire (on somebody/something)
start shooting (at somebody/something): The officer gave the order to open fire on the enemy. OPPOSITE: hold your fireopen fire
To begin firing a gun or guns.