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• flare-up
  flare-up

  noun

  a sudden burst of fire or light
• flare up
  flare up

  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.

flare-up

British  

noun

1. a sudden burst of fire or light

2. informal a sudden burst of emotion or violence

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verb

1. to burst suddenly into fire or light

2. informal to burst into anger

flare up Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flare-up flare up

If confirmed, it would be the first Saudi F-15 lost in the latest flare-up and could represent a significant change in the Houthis’ air-defense capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Given this flare-up in fighting, reporters asked if there would be an end to this war.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

Meanwhile, left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in training camp, was sidelined for much of August because of a flare-up to that same knee.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 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

Ernest’s colitis recurred in 1956, a flare-up he attributed largely to stress over the unresolved fate of Chromatic.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

But a flare up of her endometriosis, a condition which sees tissue similar to the lining of the womb grow outside of it, meant she was competing in difficult conditions:

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

Simon’s powers flare up uncontrollably when he’s beset by anxiety and self-doubt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

"While geopolitical risks could still flare up, the more pressing issue appears to be macro-related," he said, pointing to the recent rise in sovereign bond yields and the prospect of central banks raising interest rates.

From Barron's ● May 21, 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

He lit the torches and watched them flare up, then settle down to burn slowly.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• blowup
• epidemic
• eruption
• explosion
• outburst