Idioms add spice to our language, painting vivid pictures with words. The idioms related to fire bring an element of intensity and passion to our expressions.
In this listicle, we’ll explore the meanings behind common fire idioms, demystifying their fiery essence.
What is an idiom for fire?
Idioms are phrases whose meanings cannot be deduced from the literal definitions of the individual words.
They convey a broader, often metaphorical, sense that adds color to our language. Fire idioms, in particular, evoke a sense of intensity, energy, and even danger.
| Idiom | Meaning | In a Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Burning the Midnight Oil | Working late into the night. | As the exam approached, Emily found herself burning the midnight oil, determined to ace her studies. |
| Add Fuel to the Fire | Worsening a situation or making an argument more intense. | Bringing up their past mistakes only added fuel to the fire during the heated discussion. |
| Playing with Fire | Engaging in a risky or dangerous activity. | Sneaking into the abandoned building was like playing with fire; they knew it could end badly. |
| Light a Fire Under Someone | Motivating or urging someone to act quickly. | The coach’s halftime speech was meant to light a fire under the team, pushing them to give their best in the second half. |
| On Fire | Performing exceptionally well or experiencing a winning streak. | With three goals in a row, the striker was on fire during the soccer match. |
| Like a Moth to a Flame | Attracted to something or someone that is likely to cause harm. | Despite the warnings, Sarah was drawn to the mysterious stranger like a moth to a flame. |
| In the Line of Fire | Being in a situation where one is likely to be criticized or face danger. | Journalists often find themselves in the line of fire when reporting on controversial topics. |
| Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire | Escaping one problem only to find oneself in a worse situation. | Quitting the stressful job turned out to be out of the frying pan and into the fire when unemployment hit. |
| Set the World on Fire | Achieving great success and recognition. | The young artist’s debut album had the potential to set the world on fire with its unique sound. |
| Stoking the Flames | Adding fuel to a conflict or intensifying a situation. | Gossiping about the situation at work was like stoking the flames, making tensions rise even higher. |
| Fire and Brimstone | A style of speaking that is passionate, often associated with religious fervor. | The preacher delivered a fire and brimstone sermon, urging the congregation to repent. |
| In the Hot Seat | Being in a difficult or uncomfortable situation where one is under scrutiny. | Presenting the quarterly results put the CEO in the hot seat as investors closely analyzed the numbers. |
| Catch Fire | Become popular or gain widespread attention suddenly. | The new social media app began to catch fire, attracting millions of users within a week. |
| Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | Facing a dilemma with no good options. | Choosing between attending the family reunion and the important work conference was like being between the devil and the deep blue sea for Tom. |
| Fire in the Belly | A strong determination or motivation. | Despite the setbacks, Sarah’s fire in the belly kept her going on her entrepreneurial journey. |
| Walking on Hot Coals | Facing a challenging or risky situation. | Starting a business during an economic downturn felt like walking on hot coals, but they believed in their idea. |
| Fire Up | To excite or motivate. | The coach tried to fire up the team before the championship game with an inspiring pep talk. |
| Drawing Fire | Attracting attention or criticism. | The controversial article drew fire from both supporters and critics. |
| Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan | Escaping a bad situation only to find oneself in another difficult one. | Leaving the toxic relationship seemed like a relief at first, but entering the demanding job was out of the fire, into the frying pan. |
| Trial by Fire | A challenging test or ordeal. | The intense training program served as a trial by fire for the new recruits. |
| Fire Away | Encouraging someone to ask questions or begin a conversation. | During the Q&A session, the speaker invited the audience to fire away with their queries. |
| A Baptism of Fire | An intense or challenging introduction to a new experience. | Joining the fast-paced startup was a baptism of fire for the recent graduate. |
| On Fire with Enthusiasm | Extremely enthusiastic or excited. | The young volunteers were on fire with enthusiasm as they worked tirelessly for the community event. |
| Fire Sale | A sale with drastically reduced prices, often to clear out inventory quickly. | The store’s closing led to a fire sale, attracting bargain hunters from all around. |
| Light My Fire | Ignite someone’s passion or interest. | The gripping novel had the power to light my fire for reading, sparking a newfound love for literature. |
| Hold One’s Feet to the Fire | Holding someone accountable for their actions or decisions. | The manager vowed to hold everyone’s feet to the fire to ensure the project’s success. |
| Trail of Fire | Leaving a noticeable impact or impression. | The artist’s exhibition left a trail of fire, inspiring many with its creativity. |
Metaphors can paint vivid images of fire, like comparing it to a wild beast that devours everything in its path. To explore more metaphors for fire, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Fire. Similarly, similes offer comparisons that help us understand fire better, such as saying it’s as fierce as a roaring lion. Discover additional similes for fire here: Similes for Fire.
Idioms for Fire
1. Burning the Midnight Oil
Meaning: Working late into the night.
In a Sentence: As the exam approached, Emily found herself burning the midnight oil, determined to ace her studies.
2. Add Fuel to the Fire
Meaning: Worsening a situation or making an argument more intense.
In a Sentence: Bringing up their past mistakes only added fuel to the fire during the heated discussion.
3. Playing with Fire
Meaning: Engaging in a risky or dangerous activity.
In a Sentence: Sneaking into the abandoned building was like playing with fire; they knew it could end badly.
4. Light a Fire Under Someone
Meaning: Motivating or urging someone to act quickly.
In a Sentence: The coach’s halftime speech was meant to light a fire under the team, pushing them to give their best in the second half.
5. On Fire
Meaning: Performing exceptionally well or experiencing a winning streak.
In a Sentence: With three goals in a row, the striker was on fire during the soccer match.
6. Like a Moth to a Flame
Meaning: Attracted to something or someone that is likely to cause harm.
In a Sentence: Despite the warnings, Sarah was drawn to the mysterious stranger like a moth to a flame.
7. In the Line of Fire
Meaning: Being in a situation where one is likely to be criticized or face danger.
In a Sentence: Journalists often find themselves in the line of fire when reporting on controversial topics.
8. Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire
Meaning: Escaping one problem only to find oneself in a worse situation.
In a Sentence: Quitting the stressful job turned out to be out of the frying pan and into the fire when unemployment hit.
9. Set the World on Fire
Meaning: Achieving great success and recognition.
In a Sentence: The young artist’s debut album had the potential to set the world on fire with its unique sound.
10. Stoking the Flames
Meaning: Adding fuel to a conflict or intensifying a situation.
In a Sentence: Gossiping about the situation at work was like stoking the flames, making tensions rise even higher.
11. Fire and Brimstone
Meaning: A style of speaking that is passionate, often associated with religious fervor.
In a Sentence: The preacher delivered a fire and brimstone sermon, urging the congregation to repent.
12. In the Hot Seat
Meaning: Being in a difficult or uncomfortable situation where one is under scrutiny.
In a Sentence: Presenting the quarterly results put the CEO in the hot seat as investors closely analyzed the numbers.
13. Catch Fire
Meaning: Become popular or gain widespread attention suddenly.
In a Sentence: The new social media app began to catch fire, attracting millions of users within a week.
14. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Meaning: Facing a dilemma with no good options.
In a Sentence: Choosing between attending the family reunion and the important work conference was like being between the devil and the deep blue sea for Tom.
15. Fire in the Belly
Meaning: A strong determination or motivation.
In a Sentence: Despite the setbacks, Sarah’s fire in the belly kept her going on her entrepreneurial journey.
16. Walking on Hot Coals
Meaning: Facing a challenging or risky situation.
In a Sentence: Starting a business during an economic downturn felt like walking on hot coals, but they believed in their idea.
17. Fire Up
Meaning: To excite or motivate.
In a Sentence: The coach tried to fire up the team before the championship game with an inspiring pep talk.
18. Drawing Fire
Meaning: Attracting attention or criticism.
In a Sentence: The controversial article drew fire from both supporters and critics.
19. Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan
Meaning: Escaping a bad situation only to find oneself in another difficult one.
In a Sentence: Leaving the toxic relationship seemed like a relief at first, but entering the demanding job was out of the fire, into the frying pan.
20. Trial by Fire
Meaning: A challenging test or ordeal.
In a Sentence: The intense training program served as a trial by fire for the new recruits.
21. Fire Away
Meaning: Encouraging someone to ask questions or begin a conversation.
In a Sentence: During the Q&A session, the speaker invited the audience to fire away with their queries.
22. A Baptism of Fire
Meaning: An intense or challenging introduction to a new experience.
In a Sentence: Joining the fast-paced startup was a baptism of fire for the recent graduate.
23. On Fire with Enthusiasm
Meaning: Extremely enthusiastic or excited.
In a Sentence: The young volunteers were on fire with enthusiasm as they worked tirelessly for the community event.
24. Fire Sale
Meaning: A sale with drastically reduced prices, often to clear out inventory quickly.
In a Sentence: The store’s closing led to a fire sale, attracting bargain hunters from all around.
25. Light My Fire
Meaning: Ignite someone’s passion or interest.
In a Sentence: The gripping novel had the power to light my fire for reading, sparking a newfound love for literature.
26. Hold One’s Feet to the Fire
Meaning: Holding someone accountable for their actions or decisions.
In a Sentence: The manager vowed to hold everyone’s feet to the fire to ensure the project’s success.
27. Trail of Fire
Meaning: Leaving a noticeable impact or impression.
In a Sentence: The artist’s exhibition left a trail of fire, inspiring many with its creativity.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1:
Question: What does the idiom “Burning the Midnight Oil” mean?
- A. Relaxing in the evening
- B. Working late into the night
- C. Cooking dinner
Answer: B. Working late into the night
Quiz 2:
Question: If someone is described as “Playing with Fire,” what are they doing?
- A. Engaging in a risky or dangerous activity
- B. Playing a musical instrument
- C. Cooking on a barbecue
Answer: A. Engaging in a risky or dangerous activity
Quiz 3:
Question: What does the expression “On Fire” mean?
- A. Feeling cold
- B. Performing exceptionally well or experiencing a winning streak
- C. Cooking with enthusiasm
Answer: B. Performing exceptionally well or experiencing a winning streak
Quiz 4:
Question: If you “Add Fuel to the Fire” during a discussion, what are you doing?
- A. Cooling down the conversation
- B. Making an argument more intense
- C. Starting a campfire
Answer: B. Making an argument more intense
Quiz 5:
Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Like a Moth to a Flame”?
- A. Disliking bright lights
- B. Attracted to something or someone that is likely to cause harm
- C. Afraid of insects
Answer: B. Attracted to something or someone that is likely to cause harm
Quiz 6:
Question: If someone is “In the Hot Seat,” what are they experiencing?
- A. Sitting in a heated room
- B. Being in a difficult or uncomfortable situation where one is under scrutiny
- C. Enjoying a spa day
Answer: B. Being in a difficult or uncomfortable situation where one is under scrutiny
Quiz 7:
Question: What does “Set the World on Fire” mean?
- A. Causing global warming
- B. Achieving great success and recognition
- C. Starting a large bonfire
Answer: B. Achieving great success and recognition
Quiz 8:
Question: If you are “Walking on Hot Coals,” what are you doing metaphorically?
- A. Going for a challenging hike
- B. Facing a risky or challenging situation
- C. Cooking on a hot stove
Answer: B. Facing a risky or challenging situation
Quiz 9:
Question: What does the expression “A Baptism of Fire” refer to?
- A. A religious ceremony
- B. An intense or challenging introduction to a new experience
- C. Putting out a fire
Answer: B. An intense or challenging introduction to a new experience
Quiz 10:
Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Drawing Fire”?
- A. Sketching flames
- B. Attracting attention or criticism
- C. Lighting a match
Answer: B. Attracting attention or criticism
Conclusion
Language is a playground, and idioms add an exhilarating twist to it. The fire-related idioms showcased here blaze with meanings that enrich our expressions.
