foxhole
Battlefield dugout shelter
A foxhole is a small pit dug by a soldier for protection from enemy fire—just large enough for one or two people.
The word appears in the expression there are no atheists in foxholes, suggesting that extreme danger prompts even nonbelievers to pray.
Figuratively, any defensive position held under pressure: The CEO retreated to his foxhole as the scandal broke.
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- dugoutCarved-log canoe
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
- earthworkConstructed soil structure
parapet · revetment · sandbag · pillbox · redoubt · strongpoint · rampart · barricade
Combat engagement area
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- battlefrontZone of active combat
- crossfireGunfire from several angles
- firefightExchange of gunfire
skirmish · engagement · artillery · mortar · grenade · shelling · bombardment · barrage
Tool for moving earth
- excavationAct of unearthing
- spadeFlat-bladed digging implement
- dirtLoose dry earth
- soilGround matter for planting
mud · pit · burrow · sapper · dig in · scrape · hollow · crater
Place of safety
- havenShelter from danger
- hideoutSecret place of refuge
- coverProtect by overlaying
- protectionGuarding against harm
sanctuary · safety · retreat · hiding place · escape · survival · hunkering down · weathering
Ground-based combat soldier
- GIU.S. military slang
- gruntLow guttural sound
- doughboyWWI American infantryman
- squadmateFellow unit member
platoon · sentry · rifleman · combatant · comrade · battle buddy · enlisted · trooper
One denying gods exist
- conversionAct of changing states
- prayerAddress to deity
- faithTrust without proof
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
desperation · terror · mortality · last resort · fear · panic · imminent danger · reckoning
bunker
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- dugoutCarved-log canoe
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
earthwork · parapet · revetment · sandbag · pillbox · redoubt · strongpoint · rampart · barricade · bulwark
battlefield
Combat engagement area
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- battlefrontZone of active combat
- crossfireGunfire from several angles
firefight · skirmish · engagement · artillery · mortar · grenade · shelling · bombardment · barrage · incoming
shovel
Tool for moving earth
- excavationAct of unearthing
- spadeFlat-bladed digging implement
- dirtLoose dry earth
soil · mud · pit · burrow · sapper · dig in · scrape · hollow · crater · groundwater
refuge
Place of safety
protection · sanctuary · safety · retreat · hiding place · escape · survival · hunkering down · weathering · respite
infantryman
Ground-based combat soldier
squadmate · platoon · sentry · rifleman · combatant · comrade · battle buddy · enlisted · trooper · dogface
atheist
One denying gods exist
- conversionAct of changing states
- prayerAddress to deity
- faithTrust without proof
crisis · desperation · terror · mortality · last resort · fear · panic · imminent danger · reckoning · spiritual
- WWI InfantryTommies, Tommy, riflemen, trench warfare, bayonet
- defensive positionsdefensive stance, guard stance, ready position, fighting stance, en garde
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- wartimerationing, war economy, war bonds, war effort, evacuations
- concealmentconceal, hiding, concealing, concealed, hide
- defenseswall, walls, fence, gate, barrier
foxholeopen ground
open field · no man's land · clearing · open terrain · killing field
foxholefortress
Heavily defended military structure
bunker · fortification · stronghold · citadel · bastion
foxholeadvance
Move or progress forward
offensive line · no cover · cavalry charge · flanking maneuver · blitzkrieg
- foxhole prayerPlea made in extremis