Meaning of draw fire | Babel Free

Definitions

1. In an armed encounter, to attract gunfire from an adversary, whether unintentionally or deliberately for the purpose of allowing one's allies or colleagues to gain a tactical advantage over the adversary.
   also, figuratively
2. To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.
   broadly, idiomatic
3. To attract criticism or an angry reaction.
   broadly, idiomatic

Examples

“"If you find⟳ only a handful of men there, drive⟳ them off; if they are in force⟳, get⟳ near enough to draw⟳ their fire and find⟳ out their strength."”

“But the latest Santa Fe development, while not spurring the Rock Island to any further acceleration, has drawn fire from a totally unexpected quarter.”

“Sometimes troops go into insurgent areas for the principal purpose of drawing their fire—so the Americans can shoot⟳ back and capture⟳ or kill⟳ them.”

“[T]he Navy Seals drew fire from only one al-Qaida gunman and quickly killed him.”

“By-the-way, you've never had much talk⟳ with Miss⟳ Woodburn, have⟳ you, March⟳?" "Not so much as with Miss⟳ Woodburn's father." "Well, he is rather apt to scoop the conversation. I must draw⟳ his fire, sometime, when you and Mrs. March⟳ are around, and get⟳ you a chance with Miss⟳ Woodburn."”

“The Compugraphics Corporation, a company that once drew fire for its income‐augmenting accounting practices, is making an impression in Wall Street these days with a solid record⟳ of quality earnings gains.”

“An Irish writer living in Devon, Trevor is alert to the quirks of people on both sides of the Irish Sea […] Bullies and bigots of every stripe draw⟳ his fire.”

“CBS television President Les Moonves has been the man in the hot seat. After a conservative outcry, he abruptly canceled a mini-series about Ronald Reagan, only to draw⟳ fire from liberals complaining that he caved in to pressure.”

CEFR level