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