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."
flame up
B2 neutral intransitive
For a fire or flames to suddenly become more intense and larger.
In plain English
For a fire to suddenly get bigger and brighter.
What does "flame up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Flames going upward as they grow — transparent in the literal fire sense.
Actually means
For a fire to suddenly get bigger and brighter.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "flame up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fire flames emotion anger passion rage
How to conjugate "flame up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "flame up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "flame up"
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