26984 words

fires

20 definitions • 47 examples
1
(material that is in) the state of burning that produces flames that send out heat and light, and might produce smoke:

Examples:

start a fire The fire was started by children playing with matches.
put out a fire 40 people helped to put out (= stop) the fire.
in a fire The library was badly damaged in the fire.
by fire How many historic buildings are damaged by fire each year?
catch fire She had to be rescued when her house caught fire (= started to burn).
catch on fire US She had to be rescued when her house caught on fire (= started to burn).
2
a small controlled fire that is used for heating or cooking:

Examples:

light a fire It's very cold in here - should I light a fire?
build a fire We built a fire on the beach.
make a fire We put up our tents and made a small fire.
3
a gas or electric heater that is used to warm up a room:

Examples:

If you're cold just put the fire on.
4
the shooting of guns or other weapons:

Examples:

cease fire The command was given to cease fire (= stop shooting).
5
to start shooting, or start shooting someone or something:

Examples:

open fire on The police opened fire on the protesters.
6

Examples:

The fire in her speech inspired everyone.
7
to cause a weapon to shoot bullets, arrows, or missiles:

Examples:

He fired his gun into the air.
fire at Someone started firing at us.
fire into Without warning he started firing into the crowd.
I just prayed that he would stop firing.
The ambassador denied that any missiles had been fired across the border.
8
to direct a series of questions or criticisms at someone:

Examples:

The journalists were firing questions at me for two whole hours.
fire away "I'd like to ask you some questions about your childhood." "Fire away!" (= You can start asking them now.)
9
to remove someone from their job, either because they have done something wrong or badly, or as a way of saving the cost of employing them:

Examples:

She was fired after she was caught stealing from her employer.
be fired from He was fired from his $165,000 job for poor performance.
She has just been fired as editor of the newspaper.
10
to cause a strong emotion in someone:

Examples:

fire someone with something I had a brilliant English teacher who fired me with enthusiasm for literature at an early age.
fire someone’s imagination Talk of treasure and lost cities had fired their imaginations.
11
to heat objects made of clay in a kiln (= a special oven) so that they become hard
12
the state of burning, or a burning mass of material:

Examples:

[ U ] The factory had to be closed because the risk of fire was too great.
[ C ] There have been a lot of forest fires because of the drought.
[ C ] The library was badly damaged in the fire.
[ U ] The theater was destroyed by fire.
[ C ] Over a hundred volunteers were needed to put out the fire (= stop it).
13
A fire is also a small controlled mass of burning material that is used for heating or cooking:

Examples:

[ C ] Light a fire in the fireplace.
14
If something is on fire, it is burning, esp. when it is not meant to be:

Examples:

By the time the firefighters arrived, the whole house was on fire.
15
the act of shooting bullets or other explosives from a weapon:

Examples:

The troops were ordered to cease fire (= stop shooting).
The soldiers opened fire (= started shooting).
16

Examples:

The fire in her speech inspired everyone to carry on in spite of recent setbacks.
17
to shoot bullets or other explosives from a weapon:

Examples:

[ T ] He fired his gun into the air.
[ I ] The soldiers began firing.
[ T ] fig. The journalists kept firing questions at the president (= asking him questions quickly one after the other).
[ I ] fig. "I’d like to ask you some personal questions." "Fire away (= You can start immediately)!"
18
to order someone to give up his or her job:

Examples:

She was fired for stealing from her employer.
19
to cause a strong emotion in someone:

Examples:

She’s all fired up (= excited) about going to college.
20
to make someone leave their job, especially because they have done something wrong:

Examples:

fire sb for sth He was told that he was being fired for revealing confidential information.
be fired from sth She was fired from her job because of poor attendance.
The problem for City Council is that we do not have the authority to hire and fire employees.

Navigation