fire the starting gun
To launch or trigger an event or situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The mayor fired the starting gun for the new city project.”
“The official announcement fired the starting gun for the busy holiday shopping season in the city.”
“The signing of the historic treaty fired the starting gun for a new era of cooperation between the two nations.”
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add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- 02
ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- 03
big gun
A person, group, thing, or course of action that is powerful, influential, or particularly effective.
- 04
catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust.
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draw fire
To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.
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eat one's gun
To commit suicide, especially by use of a firearm discharged into the victim's mouth.
- 07
escape fire
An unconventional or counterintuitive solution to a difficult problem.
- 08
feed the fire
Synonym of add fuel to the fire.
Last updated August 10, 2026