English

Verb

fire in anger

1. (military) To fire a weapon with the intent of causing damage or harm to an opponent (as opposed to a warning shot or a practice shot).

   The Napier of Magdala Battery never fired a shot in anger: it never engaged in combat.

Usage notes

• Despite the use of the word anger, the phrase is not intended to describe the emotional state of the firer.

References

• Wicaksono, Rachel (accessed 6 August 2010), “Fire in anger”, in Ask About English, BBC World Service