caught in the crossfire

1. Lit. trapped between two lines of enemy fire. I was caught in the crossfire and dove into a ditch to keep from getting killed.

2. and caught in the middle Fig. caught between two arguing people or groups, making it difficult to remain neutral. Bill and Ann were arguing, and poor Bobby, their son, was caught in the middle.

caught in the crossfire

to be hurt by opposing groups in a disagreement caught in the middle As politicians and educators debate school funding, it's students who are caught in the crossfire.

Related vocabulary: in the cross hairs

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of caught in the crossfire (trapped between two groups that are shooting at each other)

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Pwyll	-	Welsh Mythology
Makram	-	Arabic
Kajsa	KIE-sah	Swedish
Brad	BRAD	English
Vulfgang	-	Ancient Germanic
Ballaam	['bæləm]