(be) in the firing line (idm): to be in a position or situation in which you can be attacked or blamed for something, often unfairly Foreign tourists are also in the firing line. • Unveiled Benefits are also thought to be in the firing line. • Its application does put its exponents in the firing line of critical appraisal. • Read in studio A family is living in the firing line of over-enthusiastic golfers because of a planning mistake.