1fire 
/ˈfajɚ/ noun
plural fires /ˈfajɚ/ noun 1 [noncount] : the light and heat and especially the flame produced by burning
▪ Stay away from the fire. 2 : an occurrence in which something burns : the destruction of something (such as a building or a forest) by fire [count] ▪ The shack was destroyed by a fire. ▪ Two people died in that terrible fire. ▪ How did the fire start? ▪ Police think he set a fire [=deliberately started a fire] in the bedroom. ▪ Firefighters put the fire out. = Firefighters put out the fire. [=firefighters stopped the fire from burning] [noncount] ▪ The shack caught (on) fire [=began to burn] when it was struck by lightning. ▪ Someone set fire to the shack. [=deliberately caused the shack to burn] 3 [count] : a controlled occurrence of fire created by burning something (such as wood or gas) in a special area (such as in a fireplace or stove)
▪ We warmed our hands over the fire. ▪ She built a fire in the fireplace. ▪ The fire went out and he had to light it again. — see also campfire 4 [noncount] : the shooting of weapons
▪ We heard heavy rifle fire in the distance. ▪ He shot at the police officer and the police officer returned his fire. [=the police officer shot back at him] ▪ He and the police officer exchanged fire. [=shot at each other] ▪ He was caught in the line of fire and killed. ▪ The troops opened fire on [=began shooting at] the enemy. ▪ Hold your fire! [=don't shoot] ▪ Cease fire! [=stop shooting] ▪ Several soldiers were killed by friendly fire. [=they were accidentally killed by weapons fired from their own side] 5 [noncount] : very heavy or harsh criticism
▪ The company has drawn/taken (heavy) fire for its use of child labor overseas. 6 [noncount] : strong emotion, anger, enthusiasm, etc.
▪ I admire her fire for teaching and helping children. ▪ young lovers with their hearts full of fire [=passion] 7 [count] Brit : a small device that uses gas or electricity to heat a room
▪ Turn on/off the fire.
▪ Stay away from the fire.
▪ We warmed our hands over the fire. ▪ She built a fire in the fireplace. ▪ The fire went out and he had to light it again. — see also campfire
▪ We heard heavy rifle fire in the distance. ▪ He shot at the police officer and the police officer returned his fire. [=the police officer shot back at him] ▪ He and the police officer exchanged fire. [=shot at each other] ▪ He was caught in the line of fire and killed. ▪ The troops opened fire on [=began shooting at] the enemy. ▪ Hold your fire! [=don't shoot] ▪ Cease fire! [=stop shooting] ▪ Several soldiers were killed by friendly fire. [=they were accidentally killed by weapons fired from their own side]
▪ The company has drawn/taken (heavy) fire for its use of child labor overseas.
▪ I admire her fire for teaching and helping children. ▪ young lovers with their hearts full of fire [=passion]
▪ Turn on/off the fire.
baptism of/by fire — see baptism
fan a fire, fan the fire — see 2fan
fight fire with fire — see 1fight
from/out of the frying pan (and) into the fire — see frying pan
hang fire — see 1hang
irons in the fire — see 1iron
light a fire under — see 3light
like a house on fire — see 1house
on fire 1 : in the process of burning
▪ The house was on fire. 2 : feeling very strong enthusiasm, love, etc.
▪ He was on fire with enthusiasm. ▪ young lovers with their hearts on fire 3 : very successful
▪ The team has been on fire, winning 10 of its last 11 games. — see also set the world on fire at 1world
▪ The house was on fire.
▪ He was on fire with enthusiasm. ▪ young lovers with their hearts on fire
▪ The team has been on fire, winning 10 of its last 11 games. — see also set the world on fire at 1world
play with fire — see 1play
under fire 1 : being shot at by the enemy
▪ The civilians panicked when they realized they were under fire. ▪ As a soldier he showed extraordinary skill and courage under fire. 2 : exposed to criticism : being criticized
▪ He is under fire from his political opponents. ▪ The company has come under fire [=has been criticized] for using child labor overseas.
▪ The civilians panicked when they realized they were under fire. ▪ As a soldier he showed extraordinary skill and courage under fire.
▪ He is under fire from his political opponents. ▪ The company has come under fire [=has been criticized] for using child labor overseas.
