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fight fire with fire

fight fire with fire {v. phr.}, {slightly formal}, {of Biblical origin}

To fight back in the same way one was attacked; make a defense similar to the attack.

The candidate was determined to fight fire with fire in the debate.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms; "Burning down the house" video by Cardigans & Tom Jones

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fire

[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

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

cross fire

[cross fire] {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross. * /The soldiers on the bridge […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

set fire to

[set fire to] {v. phr.} To cause to burn; start a fire in. * /The sparks set fire to the oily rags./ Compare: [CATCH FIRE]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

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