Meaning of stand fire | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To put oneself in the way of an enemy's firing.
   idiomatic
2. To put oneself in a position vulnerable to rebuke or criticism
   idiomatic

Examples

“They were again under fire at Vaal Krantz, the shells dropping a few yards in front of them as the bearers removed the men. Hospital orderlies, water-carriers, nurses, bearers, all were willing to do or be anything in this dire need; and although not infrequently obliged to accept insults or to stand fire, they acquitted themselves with great credit, and earned the unstinted praise of the soldiers.”

“It is perfectly possible to take a thousand individuals, each of whom is individually fearless, form them hastily into a regiment, and collectively they will not stand fire. A thousand individual heroes may easily make one collective regimental coward. Such is the incomprehensible psychology of the mob.”

CEFR level