open fire

phrase

: to begin shooting
A man opened fire in a crowded mall.
—often + on
The soldiers opened fire on enemy troops.

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open-file
open fire
open fire on
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Cite this Entry

“Open fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20fire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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