Fire

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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 ➺

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 ➺

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 ➺

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 ➺

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 ➺

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 ➺

Meaning: to perform an inconsequential task or act irresponsibly in the midst of a disastrous event.

Example: Vacuuming the carpet while her co-worker was in with the boss, trying to steal her job, felt like fiddling while Rome burned. Read more ➺

Meaning: a person who spoils other people's fun.

Example: If you are going to come to my party, you can't be such a wet blanket. Read more ➺

Meaning: an intelligent and lively person (humorously)

Example: Emma is the bright spark of the school – she scored the highest marks in the class. Read more ➺

Meaning: make a bad situation even worse

Example: The president's racist comments are really going to fan the flames of hatred among the crowd. Read more ➺