Introduction
Fire is hot and dangerous. There are a few phrases in English which use the word ‘fire’. Learn some of them here with Georgie.
Phrases with ‘fire’
play with fire
do something risky or dangerous
- That’s the fourth time he’s been rude to the teacher today. He’s playing with fire – he’ll probably get detention.
be on fire
be performing amazingly
- I’m usually really bad at bowling, but for some reason today I’m absolutely on fire! I’ve had three strikes!
be under fire
be criticised or attacked
- The delivery company was under fire for their treatment of staff.
add fuel to the fire
make a bad situation even worse
- Speaking to the press about the cheating scandal added fuel to the fire – it made him look worse than he did before.
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Georgie
Fire is hot and dangerous. So, what kind of things can we express with the word ‘fire’?
If you play with fire, you’re doing something risky or dangerous.
Leaving your car unlocked in the city? If you play with fire, you’re going to get burnt.
If you describe someone as on fire, it means they’re performing amazingly.
Did you see Molly’s presentation? She’s on fire today! She’s doing so well.
But if you’re under fire, that means you’re being criticised or attacked. This comes from fire referring to bullets.
Bill was under fire because he kept turning up late to work.
What happens if you add fuel to the fire? You make it bigger! You make a bad situation even worse.
Don’t argue with her now – you’ll only add fuel to the fire.
Practise these phrases and you’ll be on fire in your English conversations!