Originally US Army slang from the Vietnam War meaning attacked or to be attacked but is now used more widely. The expression referred, initially, to night-time artillery attacks where illuminating rounds would be used to expose the target before it was destroyed with High Explosive, Fragmentation or White
Phosphorous (
Willie Pete) rounds. The use of the expression broadened until it was used to describe any intense attack whether on enemy positions or personnel or your own with an
air strike artillery or small arms fire.
“Charlie lit up Kilo company’s compound last night. Man it was crazy,
mortar rounds everywhere, but nobody got greased an’ only a couple of minor wounds. No evacs, just a
purple heart an’ a
pat on the head.”