矢や面おもて

noun

firing line; in the line of fire

Figurative use: the position of being the target of criticism, questions, or attacks. Almost always used in the set phrase 矢面に立つ (to stand in the firing line).

See also: 矢面に立つ

• 新しん部ぶ長ちょうは就しゅう任にん早そう々そう、矢や面おもてに立たたされた。

  The new department head was put in the firing line right after taking office.

• 彼かの女じょは記き者しゃ会かい見けんで矢や面おもてに立たって質しつ問もんに答こたえた。

  She stood in the line of fire at the press conference and answered questions.

noun

in front of a flying arrow

Original literal meaning: the direction from which arrows come. Now rare and mostly historical; the figurative sense is dominant in modern Japanese.

• 古こ文ぶん書しょには、矢や面おもてに立たつ武ぶ士しの姿すがたが描えがかれている。

  In old documents, warriors are depicted standing in front of flying arrows.