draw fire
Idioms-
Encounter criticism, as in His recent article was bound to draw fire. This expression uses the verb draw in the sense of “attract” or “provoke,” and transfers fire in the sense of “gunfire” to a somewhat milder attack.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During the battle, Puckett sprinted across an open area to draw fire so that Rangers could spot and target enemy machine-gunners.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2024
The Museum of the American Revolution is not the first institution to draw fire for a rental to groups or figures deemed contradictory to its mission.
From New York Times • Jun. 28, 2023
Alexander's apparent cash grab has already begun to draw fire from inside the tent.
From Salon • Nov. 18, 2020
As a public figure, Porterfield should acknowledge and accept that divisive comments and inflammatory name calling will draw fire.
From Washington Times • Feb. 13, 2019
I draw fire and water forgetting all the rules and morphing into something new.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.