flare-up
noun
a sudden burst of fire or light
flare-up
Britishnoun
-
a sudden burst of fire or light
-
informal a sudden burst of emotion or violence
verb
-
to burst suddenly into fire or light
-
informal to burst into anger
flare up
Idioms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Stocks fell and bond yields held at multi-decade highs as investors ramp up rate hike bets amid a fresh flare-up in Middle East tensions that has sparked another surge in oil prices.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
A co-ordinated international naval response together with private security on commercial ships successfully drove down the scourge and contained a flare-up in 2023 and 2024.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Voters in northern states such as Michigan that border Canada and conduct lots of trade with that country could rebel over the latest flare-up in tensions.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
"It's a huge area and there could be a flare-up again at any moment," deputy fire department spokesman Yiannis Artopios had earlier told state TV ERT.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
The next flare-up came one evening in the sitting-room.
From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
Simon’s powers flare up uncontrollably when he’s beset by anxiety and self-doubt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
While the possibility remains that hostilities could flare up again in the Persian Gulf, Haefele is adamant that gradual de-escalation is ongoing, citing President President Trump’s assertion that a cease fire is still in effect.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
Officials in the Middle East believe there is a significant chance that war will flare up again—possibly with even greater intensity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026
After having surgery to remove parts of her womb, she noticed her conditions would flare up more frequently, sometimes leaving her unable to get out of bed.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2026
I’ll flare up like flame, and I’ll write it all down.
From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
