crossfire

Definitions

1. An arrangement of two or more weapons so each can fire diagonally at something in front of a line between them.
   countable, uncountable
2. The danger to a third party passing between two belligerents firing at one another.
   countable, uncountable
3. The danger to a third party passing between a gunman and his target.
   countable, uncountable
4. A heated confrontation between opposing factions.
   broadly, countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“The two factions were either side of the road. A civilian lorry was caught in the crossfire and became collateral damage⟳”

“A woman who was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting in north London on Tuesday evening was not the intended target⟳, police have⟳ said.”

CEFR level