open fire
idiom
: to begin shooting
A man opened fire in a crowded mall.
—often + onThe soldiers opened fire on enemy troops.
Examples of open fire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The officer was forced to open fire, the FBI agent alleged, striking Martinez seven times.
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Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The officer was forced to open fire, the FBI agent alleged, striking Martinez seven times.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
This is a pretty, warm room with arched interior colonnades, anchored by a display kitchen with an open fire.
—Andrea Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
The fishing is quick and easy, followed by lunch cooked over an open fire.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open fire
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Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The officer was forced to open fire, the FBI agent alleged, striking Martinez seven times.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
This is a pretty, warm room with arched interior colonnades, anchored by a display kitchen with an open fire.
—Andrea Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
The fishing is quick and easy, followed by lunch cooked over an open fire.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for open fire
Cite this Entry
“Open fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20fire. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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