From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbe in the firing line/in the line of firebe in the firing line/in the line of firea) CRITICIZEto be one of the people who could be criticized or blamed for something As one of the president’s chief advisers, he’s bound to be in the firing line. b) PMto be in a place where a bullet etc might hit you A couple of civilians were caught in the firing line. → line
