General
outside the wire
What does outside the wire mean?
Anywhere past the protected boundary of a base, where enemy contact is possible.
"Every time we went outside the wire the tension spiked."
Origin
U.S. military; 'the wire' is the perimeter fencing of a base.
Frequently asked questions
What does outside the wire mean?
It means being beyond the protected perimeter of a base, out in potentially hostile territory where enemy contact is possible.
What is 'the wire'?
The wire is the perimeter fencing and defenses around a military base, so 'outside the wire' is anywhere past that boundary.
Why is going outside the wire significant?
Inside the wire is relatively secure, so crossing it means entering danger where troops face greater risk of attack.
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