opens fire
Starts the attack
Opens fire means to begin shooting: The soldiers opened fire on the enemy position.
The phrase implies a sudden or deliberate start to gunfire, often after a period of restraint or preparation.
It appears almost exclusively in military, police, or violent crime contexts: The gunman opened fire in the crowded mall.
- gunfireDischarge of weapons
- blastsSudden violent bursts
- unleashesReleases from restraint
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
combat · engage · under attack · attacks · ambushes · armed conflict · shooting · salvo · criticizes · cannonade · lambasts · rebukes · artillery · warfare · retaliates · commence · rifles · pistols
opens fireholds fire
Withholds an attack temporarily
ceasefire · stands down · disengages · withdraws · retreats
opens fireholds back
Restrains or delays
de-escalates · refrains · stands down · keeps the peace · backs off
opens firesurrenders
Ceases resistance formally
lays down arms · capitulates · makes peace · negotiates · parleys
open, fire, opens, opened, opening, opener, openers, openings, openly