shots fired
Used to indicate that one finds a statement or action derisive or combative.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Shots fired, he really just insulted your cooking like that.”
“When she told him his presentation was completely outdated, the rest of the team whispered, shots fired.”
“The politician’s sharp critique of his opponent’s record was so direct that the audience immediately reacted as if shots fired.”
- 01
add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- 02
ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- 03
big shot
A person with a reputation of importance or power.
- 04
catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust.
- 05
chip shot
Something that is easy to do or to achieve.
- 06
draw fire
To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.
- 07
escape fire
An unconventional or counterintuitive solution to a difficult problem.
- 08
feed the fire
Synonym of add fuel to the fire.
Last updated August 10, 2026