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flame up

B2 neutral intransitive
In simple words

For a fire to suddenly get bigger and brighter.

Literal meaning: Flames going upward as they grow — transparent in the literal fire sense.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

For a fire or flame to suddenly become much larger or more intense.

"The bonfire flamed up when he threw more wood on it."

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

For an emotion such as anger or passion to suddenly intensify.

"His rage flamed up when he saw the damage to his car."

Usage notes

Used literally for fires, candles, and cooking flames. Also used figuratively for emotions — particularly anger or passion — suddenly intensifying. Less common than 'flare up' in both senses.

Commonly used with

fire flames emotion anger passion rage

Forms

Base
flame up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flames up
he/she/it
Past simple
flamed up
yesterday
Past participle
flamed up
have + pp
-ing form
flaming up
continuous

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Synonyms

flare up blaze up ignite flare surge

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