Fire Idioms

Fire Idioms

Fire – a force of nature both awe-inspiring and destructive. It’s no wonder it has become a powerful symbol in our language, sparking a multitude of idioms that add heat (and light!) to our communication. Let’s fan the flames of your vocabulary and explore some fiery expressions to enhance your writing and conversation.

List of Fire Idioms

Fire Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Add fuel to the fire

• Meaning: To make a situation worse or more intense.
• Example: Bringing up past grievances only adds fuel to the fire during an argument.

Catch fire

• Meaning: To ignite or start burning.
• Example: The dry leaves caught fire quickly in the summer heat.

Fight fire with fire

• Meaning: To respond to an attack with a similar or equal force.
• Example: The company decided to fight fire with fire and launched a counter-advertising campaign.

Fire away

• Meaning: To begin asking questions or making comments.
• Example: “You have any questions, feel free to fire away,” said the presenter.

Fire and brimstone

• Meaning: Intense anger or punishment, often associated with religious connotations.
• Example: The preacher delivered a sermon filled with fire and brimstone, warning of divine punishment.

Under fire

• Meaning: To be criticized or attacked.
• Example: The politician found herself under fire for her controversial statements.

Go through fire and water

• Meaning: To face any difficulty or danger.
• Example: He was willing to go through fire and water to prove his loyalty.

Play with fire

• Meaning: To engage in risky behavior.
• Example: Investing all your savings in one risky venture is like playing with fire.

Light a fire under someone

• Meaning: To motivate or urge someone to take action.
• Example: The coach’s pep talk lit a fire under the team, and they played with renewed energy.

Burn the midnight oil

• Meaning: To work late into the night.
• Example: She burned the midnight oil to finish her term paper before the deadline.

Stoke the fire

• Meaning: To add fuel to a fire to keep it burning.
• Example: He stoked the fire in the fireplace to keep the room warm.

Set the world on fire

• Meaning: To achieve great success or recognition.
• Example: The band’s debut album set the world on fire, earning them international fame.

Walk through fire

• Meaning: To endure great difficulties or challenges.
• Example: She walked through fire to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.

Fire in the belly

• Meaning: A strong determination or ambition.
• Example: His fire in the belly drove him to succeed against all odds.

Fire drill

• Meaning: A practice exercise to prepare for a fire emergency.
• Example: The school conducted a fire drill to ensure that students knew what to do in case of a fire.

Fire sale

• Meaning: A sale of goods at greatly reduced prices.
• Example: The store had a fire sale to clear out old inventory.

Like a house on fire

• Meaning: Very quickly or energetically.
• Example: They hit it off like a house on fire and became fast friends.

Firebrand

• Meaning: A person who is passionate or inflammatory.
• Example: The politician was known as a firebrand for his radical speeches.

Backfire

• Meaning: To have an unexpected negative effect.
• Example: His attempt to discredit his opponent backfired when evidence of his own wrongdoing emerged.

Fire up

• Meaning: To become excited or enthusiastic.
• Example: The coach’s speech fired up the team for the big game.

Fire-eater

• Meaning: A person who is bold or aggressive.
• Example: The negotiator was a fire-eater who never backed down from a challenge.

Playing with fire

• Meaning: Engaging in risky behavior.
• Example: Not saving for retirement is like playing with fire; you’re risking your financial future.

Fire off

• Meaning: To send or shoot something quickly.
• Example: He fired off an angry email in response to the criticism.

Fire in the hole

• Meaning: A warning before detonating explosives.
• Example: The demolition expert shouted “fire in the hole” before setting off the blast.

On fire

• Meaning: Performing exceptionally well or experiencing a streak of success.
• Example: The basketball player was on fire, scoring point after point.

A burning issue

• Meaning: A topic or problem that is currently generating a lot of interest or controversy.
• Example: Climate change is a burning issue that requires immediate attention.

Burn one’s bridges

• Meaning: To damage relationships or opportunities, usually irreparably.
• Example: By quitting without notice, he burned his bridges with the company.

A burnt child dreads the fire

• Meaning: Someone who has been hurt before will be cautious in similar situations.
• Example: After her last relationship ended badly, she’s hesitant to start dating again— a burnt child dreads the fire.

Baptism of fire

• Meaning: A challenging or difficult initiation into a new experience or job.
• Example: His first week as CEO was a baptism of fire; he had to deal with multiple crises.

Have fire in your belly

• Meaning: To have strong determination and ambition.
• Example: To succeed in the competitive industry, you need to have fire in your belly.

So next time you want to add some sizzle to your speech, reach for a fire idiom! These expressions can light up a conversation and leave a lasting impression.

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