[fire] See: [BALL OF FIRE], [BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA] or [BETWEEN TWO FIRES], [BUILD A FIRE UNDER], [BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE], [CATCH FIRE], [DRAW FIRE], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

draw off

[draw off] {v. phr.} To drain away; deflect. * /A light flanking attack was made in order to draw off the enemy's fire./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

open fire

[open fire] {v. phr.} To begin shooting. * /The big warship turned its guns toward the enemy ship and opened fire./ * /When the policeman called to the robber to […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

under fire

[under fire] {adv. phr.} Being shot at or being attacked; hit by attacks or accusations; under attack. * /The soldiers stood firm under fire of the enemy./ * /The principal […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

Napoleon Bonaparte

You can stop while you are raising, but not when you are falling.

many hands make light work

[many hands make light work] If many people work together, even a hard job becomes easier. - A proverb. * /Come on boys, […]

up and at them

[up and at them] 1. {adv. phr.} Actively engaged in a task as if doing combat. * /"You want to know whether he will make a […]

Deborah Love, poet, Annaghkeen

For an Irishman, talking is a dance.

George Carlin - Importance of our "Stuff"

George Carlin's classic standup routine about the importance of "Stuff" in our lives.

Accent Reduction - Word Stress Lesson

Introductory lesson from Lynn Bo - an American speech therapist. In this video you will learn how a stress can change the word […]

put aside

[put aside] {v. phr.} 1. To save; put something aside for a special purpose. * /Peter puts $100 aside every week./ 2. To […]

talk back

[talk back] also [answer back] {v.} {informal} To answer rudely; reply in a disrespectful way; be fresh. * /When the teacher […]