flareup
a sudden flaring up of flame or light.
a sudden outburst or intensification, as of anger or tensions.
a sudden outbreak of violence, disease, or any other condition thought to be quelled, checked, or inactive.
Origin of flareup
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use flareup in a sentence
The principle is sound, but the effect is small enough that another source entirely could be responsible for the extra flare-up.
Could ‘Star Wars’ Be Right About Habitable Moons? | Matthew R. Francis | May 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA major flare-up in the fighting is another factor that could torpedo the talks.
She said she first learned of the current flare up by seeing tweets from the IDF spokesperson's Twitter account.
D.C. Protesters March For Gaza, Because That's All They Can Do | Zaid Jilani | November 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTI asked him what he thought of the latest flare-up between Israel and Hamas.
The exchanges are only the latest flare-up in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which grabbed power in Gaza in 2007.
Israel Kills Hamas Military Head Ahmed Jabari in Air Strike | Dan Ephron | November 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
For a word, she would flare up into a sudden anger, nor try as he would, could he divine what action of his would displease her.
The Woman Gives | Owen JohnsonAs the light gleamed out Lieutenant Hal turned its broad flare up the river.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants | H. Irving HancockThe light of the lantern began to splutter and flare up, showing that the oil in the cup was running low.
The Boy Land Boomer | Ralph BonehillYou don't want to take advantage of her being sick and weakly now—now, you no need to flare up!
Narcissa, or the Road to Rome | Laura E. RichardsNow, for some little flare-up you come racing here to use Elnora as a tool to spite the other girl.
A Girl Of The Limberlost | Gene Stratton Porter
British Dictionary definitions for flare-up
a sudden burst of fire or light
informal a sudden burst of emotion or violence
to burst suddenly into fire or light
informal to burst into anger
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with flareup
Suddenly become angry, as in She flared up at the slightest provocation. This metaphoric expression, dating from the mid-1800s, transfers a sudden burst of flame to sudden rage.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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