| 释义 |
be caught in the crossfire be caught in the crossfire1. To literally be in the middle of an exchange of gunfire. Police officers are often caught in the crossfire when apprehending criminals.2. To feel the effects of an issue that one is not directly involved in. I know that they're arguing about the budget because I walked into the conference room at the wrong time and was caught in the crossfire.See also: caught, crossfirebe caught in the crossfire If someone or something is caught in the crossfire, they suffer the unpleasant effects of a disagreement between other people even though they are not involved in it themselves. It's like when colleagues start to argue in a meeting. Suddenly, from being an innocent bystander, you're caught in the crossfire and required to join in. Teachers say they are caught in the crossfire between the education establishment and the Government. Note: This expression is more commonly used literally to talk about a situation where someone is in the way of two sets of people who are firing guns, and so is likely to be shot by mistake. See also: caught, crossfirebe caught in the crossfire suffer damage or harm inadvertently as the result of the conflict between two other people or groups. The literal sense of the phrase, in a military context, is ‘be trapped (and possibly killed) by being between two opposing sides who are shooting at each other’. 1998 New Scientist This suggested that the corneal cells are innocent victims caught in the crossfire as T cells fight the viral infection. See also: caught, crossfirebe caught in the ˈcrossfire become involved in a situation where two people or groups of people are arguing, and suffer as a result: When two industrial giants clash, small companies can get caught in the crossfire. Crossfire is the firing of guns from two or more directions at the same time.See also: caught, crossfire |