firing line


noun

Military.
  1. the positions at which troops are stationed to fire upon the enemy or targets.
  2. the troops firing from this line.
the forefront of any action or activity, especially a controversy.

Origin of firing line

First recorded in 1880–85

Example sentences from the Web for firing line

British Dictionary definitions for firing line

firing line

noun

military
  1. the positions from which fire is delivered
  2. the soldiers occupying these positions
the leading or most advanced position in an activity