Fig. during an attack; being attacked. (*Typically: be ~; resign ~; think ~.) There was a scandal in city hall, and the mayor was forced to resign under fire. John is a good lawyer because he can think under fire.
Criticized or held responsible, as in The landlord is under fire for not repairing the roof. This expression originally referred to being within range of enemy guns; its figurative use dates from the late 1800s.