firing line

noun

1

: a line from which fire is delivered against a target

2

: the forefront of an activity

—used especially in the phrase on the firing line

Examples of firing line in a Sentence

a brave soldier who was never far behind the firing line

Recent Examples on the Web

And entry-level workers are apparently first on the firing line. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 May 2026

Also this month, troops from XVIII Airborne Corps got hands on with new counter-drone ammunition and again Matrix-T drones were in the firing line. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Bustling neighborhoods of central Beirut, previously not thought to be in the firing line, were struck within seconds of each other. — Nada Bashir, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

Lucas Perri had been taken out of the firing line to give him a few weeks to reset, but this was a mistake Leeds cannot afford for Darlow to dwell on. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026

One year ago, the FA Cup third round gave Farke a chance to take Illan Meslier out of the firing line. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for firing line

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline