How Do You Spell UNDER FIRE?

Pronunciation: [ˌʌndə fˈa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA)

The phrase "under fire" is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is facing criticism or attack. The spelling of the word "under" is straightforward, but the pronunciation of "fire" can be tricky for non-native speakers. The phonetic transcription for "fire" is /faɪr/. The "i" sound is pronounced like the word "eye" and the "r" is pronounced with a slight rolling of the tongue. When combined with "under," the phrase "under fire" is pronounced /ˈʌndər ˈfaɪr/.

UNDER FIRE Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "under fire" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the state or condition of facing intense criticism, opposition, or scrutiny, often arising from external forces or individuals. It typically refers to a situation where someone or something is subjected to continuous verbal attacks, considerable scrutiny, or extreme public disapproval.

   Being "under fire" implies being in the midst of a challenging and harsh assessment coming from multiple angles. It suggests being the target of negative attention, receiving significant criticism, or facing strong opposition. This can occur in various contexts, including politics, business, sports, and personal relationships.

   When an individual or organization is "under fire," it often signifies that they are defending themselves against a barrage of criticism, accusations, or condemnations. The pressure and hostility associated with being "under fire" can have adverse effects, including reputational damage, increased stress levels, and the need for immediate action to address the concerns or allegations.

   The phrase draws upon the vivid imagery of being in a war-like scenario, where bullets or artillery are being directed towards the target. It conveys the notion of being actively and continuously targeted, creating a sense of urgency and a need to respond or defend oneself.

   Overall, "under fire" captures the intense scrutiny, criticism, or opposition faced by individuals or entities, highlighting a state of vulnerability and the necessity to face or navigate the challenging situation at hand.

2. Exposed to an enemy's shot.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for UNDER FIRE *

• underfire 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for UNDER FIRE

• ynder fire
• hnder fire
• jnder fire
• inder fire
• 8nder fire
• 7nder fire
• ubder fire
• umder fire
• ujder fire
• uhder fire
• unser fire
• unxer fire
• uncer fire
• unfer fire
• unrer fire
• uneer fire
• undwr fire
• undsr fire
• unddr fire

Etymology of UNDER FIRE

The phrase "under fire" originated from the military context and has been used since the 17th century. Its etymology can be traced back to early warfare and the practice of shooting or firing weapons at an enemy. The term "fire" here refers to gunfire or artillery fire directed towards the enemy forces.

The word "under" in this phrase indicates being subjected to or facing something. So, when someone or something is "under fire", it means they are being targeted or attacked by enemy fire.

Over time, the term "under fire" expanded beyond its military use and began to be used in a figurative sense to describe facing criticism, attack, or intense scrutiny in non-military contexts as well.

Idioms with the word UNDER FIRE

• come under fire The idiom "come under fire" means to face criticism, scrutiny, or negative attention, often as a result of one's actions, decisions, or beliefs. It can also refer to being the target of literal gunfire or projectiles in a military context.
• be/come under fire The idiom "be/come under fire" means to be subjected to criticism, attack, or intense scrutiny, usually in a figurative sense. It implies being targeted or facing backlash from others, often due to one's actions, decisions, or opinions. It originates from the military term "under fire," referring to being exposed to enemy gunfire or being actively engaged in combat.
• be under fire The idiom "be under fire" means to be subjected to criticism, attack, or intense scrutiny, usually in a figurative sense. It can refer to facing a barrage of negative comments, accusations, or challenges, which puts one in a difficult or vulnerable position.
• under fire Under fire means being criticized, attacked, or put in a difficult situation where one is being closely scrutinized or questioned.

Similar spelling words for UNDER FIRE

• undermine,
• underrate,
• underemployed,
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• underexpose,
• inter fere,
• underhill,
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• winter faerie,
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• FREE ENTRY,
• Under fear,
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• underfed,
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• underwing,
• inter viewer,
• winter fairy,
• indoor fire.