Fire Idioms

Page 1 of 3

fight fire with fire

Meaning: respond to an aggressive or harmful action by using similar tactics.

Example: When competitors started lowering their prices, the company decided to fight fire with fire and reduced their prices too. Read more ➺


burning question

Meaning: an urgent or pressing query that requires immediate attention.

Example: The burning question after the town hall meeting was how the new policy would affect local businesses. Read more ➺


to be loaded

Meaning: to be very wealthy or affluent.

Example: He recently sold his company; he's loaded. Read more ➺


burn the midnight oil

Meaning: work late into the night, especially on a project or task.

Example: Jenny had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline for her presentation. Read more ➺


hold your feet to the fire

Meaning: insist that someone fulfill their promises or obligations.

Example: The management will hold your feet to the fire to ensure that you fulfill the project deadline. Read more ➺


third degree

Meaning: an interrogation that frequently includes torture in an effort to find the truth or a confession.

Example: The detective put him through the third degree, but he wouldn't break. Read more ➺


damp squib

Meaning: an event that people think will be exciting but that is disappointing when it happens.

Example: People were expecting a big celebration, but what they got was a damp squib. Read more ➺


caught in the crossfire

Meaning: suffer harm or damage inadvertently because of the conflict between other individuals or groups.

Example: Jane was proven innocent since she was only caught in the crossfire. Read more ➺


short fuse

Meaning: to get angry quickly.

Example: He has a short fuse. He loses his temper for things that don't provoke others to high levels of angry emotion. Read more ➺


burn the candle at both ends

Meaning: to exhaust someone's energies or resources by leading a hectic life.

Example: Since starting my new job, I have been burning the candle at both ends. Read more ➺


Share
Share