crosshair
noun
cross·hair ˈkrȯs-ˌher 
: a fine wire or thread in the focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis —used figuratively to describe someone or something being targeted as if through an aiming device having crosshairs
… in the crosshairs this political season
J. H. Alter
J. H. Alter
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This puts small businesses right in the crosshair of hackers. Serge Beck, Forbes, 18 July 2022 But following the 1968 assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, network television had come to be in a crosshair of its own for depictions of violence. Jim Mckairnes, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2021 China, however, has attempted to push back against the allegations in a manner that has put several western companies in its crosshair. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 The involves removing the bolt, looking down the bore, aligning the bull’s-eye in its center, and without moving the rifle, dialing the crosshair into the center of the bull. David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 24 Sep. 2020 Again watch the reticle while turning the windage and elevation dials to move the crosshair over bullet hole. Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2020 Wuskin has been labeled a bonafide sniper in Call of Duty League play, forcing the enemies into his crosshair and dictating the pace of crucial search and destroy maps. Sean Collins, Dallas News, 19 June 2020 Yet it was elected leaders in populous Democratic strongholds who’ve found themselves in the crosshairs of the state’s Republicans. Allie Morris, Dallas News, 18 May 2020 Afghan forces have been in the crosshairs of the Taliban despite the peace accord that the U.S. signed with the group. Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, 15 May 2020 See More
Serge Beck, Forbes, 18 July 2022 But following the 1968 assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, network television had come to be in a crosshair of its own for depictions of violence. Jim Mckairnes, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2021 China, however, has attempted to push back against the allegations in a manner that has put several western companies in its crosshair. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 The involves removing the bolt, looking down the bore, aligning the bull’s-eye in its center, and without moving the rifle, dialing the crosshair into the center of the bull. David E. Petzal, Field & Stream, 24 Sep. 2020 Again watch the reticle while turning the windage and elevation dials to move the crosshair over bullet hole. Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2020 Wuskin has been labeled a bonafide sniper in Call of Duty League play, forcing the enemies into his crosshair and dictating the pace of crucial search and destroy maps. Sean Collins, Dallas News, 19 June 2020 Yet it was elected leaders in populous Democratic strongholds who’ve found themselves in the crosshairs of the state’s Republicans. Allie Morris, Dallas News, 18 May 2020 Afghan forces have been in the crosshairs of the Taliban despite the peace accord that the U.S. signed with the group. Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, 15 May 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1884, in the meaning defined above