draw fire

Idioms and Phrases

Encounter criticism, as in His recent article was bound to draw fire . This expression uses the verb draw in the sense of “attract” or “provoke,” and transfers fire in the sense of “gunfire” to a somewhat milder attack.

Example Sentences

Its advantage lies in the fact that it offers a less definite target, hence is less likely to draw fire.

From Project Gutenberg

To "draw fire" she whistled, a forbidden joy, which only attracted more attention, instead of diverting it.

From Project Gutenberg

A common device is to conceal the parapet as well as possible and to make a dummy trench some distance away to draw fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Its advantages lie in the fact that it offers a less definite target, hence is less likely to draw fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Verkan Vall gave it a short burst, though it was probably only a dummy, dropped to draw fire.

From Project Gutenberg