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crossfire
be caught in the crossfire
1. To literally be in the middle of an exchange of gunfire. Police officers are often caught in the crossfire when apprehending criminals.
2. To feel the effects of an issue that one is not directly involved in. I know that they're arguing about the budget because I walked into the conference room at the wrong time and was caught in the crossfire.
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 hairsEtymology: based on the literal meaning of caught in the crossfire (trapped between two groups that are shooting at each other)
be caught in the crossfire
to be badly affected by a situation where two people or groups are arguing with each other (often + of ) Unhappy children are often caught in the crossfire of arguing parents. (often + between ) She became caught in the crossfire between two bosses with different ideas about what her job involved.