Caught in the crossfire

Meaning

The idiom "caught in the crossfire" means to be caught in a situation where two or more conflicting forces are attacking each other, and you become collateral damage. It can also mean being caught between two difficult choices or being inadvertently drawn into an argument or dispute.

Usage

• The journalist was caught in the crossfire of the two opposing factions and ended up reporting on both sides without taking a clear stance.
• After the divorce, the children were caught in the crossfire of their parents' emotional turmoil and struggled to cope with the changes.
• The politician was caught in the crossfire of the media's scrutiny and public opinion after a controversial policy proposal.
• The young couple found themselves caught in the crossfire of their families' cultural differences and had to navigate their relationship carefully.
• The company faced backlash from customers after being caught in the crossfire of a data breach that compromised their personal information.

Roots and History

The idiom "caught in the crossfire" dates back to the early 19th century and is believed to have originated from military conflicts. During World War II, this phrase was popularized in literature and film as a way of describing people who were caught up in the violence and conflict of the war. Over time, the idiom has taken on a broader meaning and can be used in various contexts outside of warfare.

Synonyms in English

• In the middle of it all
• Between two fires
• Stuck in the crossfire
• Caught in a tangled web
• Ensnared in a complex situation

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Carrera de la muerte" (death's road)
• French: "Entre deux feux" (between two fires)
• Italian: "Sulla linea di fuoco" (on the line of fire)
• German: "Im Kreuzfeuer" (in crossfire)
• Dutch: "In de vuurzee" (in the firestorm)

Similar Idioms

• cash in

• out of the frying pan into the fire

• come clean