Phrasal Verb - Flaring Up
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.Definition
To flare up means to suddenly erupt, become more intense, or become active again after a period of quiet, dormancy, or lesser intensity. This phrasal verb is commonly used in several contexts:
- For fires or flames: To suddenly burn more brightly, strongly, or intensely, often with a burst of light or heat. This can happen when fuel is added or conditions change.
- For illnesses, medical conditions, or symptoms: To suddenly become worse, more severe, or more painful after a period of improvement, remission, or stability. This suggests a relapse or exacerbation of a chronic condition.
- For emotions or conflicts: To suddenly become more intense, violent, or open; to erupt into an argument, dispute, or expression of strong feeling. This implies a sudden escalation from a state of calm or underlying tension.
- For a person: To suddenly become angry or upset.
The underlying sense across these uses is one of sudden, often unwelcome, intensification or resurgence.
Examples
| No. | Example |
|---|---|
| 1 | The old injury started flaring up again after I went for a long run. |
| 2 | Tensions between the two countries flared up following the border incident. |
| 3 | When she heard the news, her temper flared up and she began to shout. |
| 4 | We need to be careful with the campfire; a gust of wind could make it flare up. |
| 5 | His eczema tends to flare up during the dry winter months. |
| 6 | The debate flared up again when new evidence was presented. |
| 7 | After years of peace, the old territorial dispute began to flare up once more. |
| 8 | Adding more logs caused the small fire to flare up impressively. |
| 9 | Her allergies always flare up when spring arrives with all the pollen. |
| 10 | The coach worried that another disagreement would cause the team's internal conflicts to flare up. |