opening fire
Beginning an assault
Opening fire is beginning to shoot—the moment weapons start discharging: The soldiers opened fire on the enemy position.
The phrase emphasizes initiation rather than ongoing combat.
It appears in military, police, and news contexts: Officers claimed the suspect opened fire first.
Figuratively, opening fire can mean launching a verbal attack: The senator opened fire on her critics.
- firefightExchange of gunfire
- shootoutArmed confrontation or tiebreaker
- warning shotIntentionally missed shot conveying threat
- warning shotsDeliberate misses conveying threat
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
first shot · live ammunition · active shooter · self-defense · crossfire · ambush · escalation · assassination attempts · sniper · armed robbery · barrage · hostage situation · standoff · skirmish · Battle of Gettysburg · assault · verbal attack · engagement
opening fireholding fire
Refraining from action
ceasefire · retreating · surrendering · withdrawing · standing down
opening firemaking peace
Ending hostilities between parties
negotiating · de-escalating · standing down · peace offering · backing off
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