open fire
To begin firing (weapons) at something or someone.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The soldiers received orders to open fire on the target.”
“The commander waited for the enemy to get closer before he gave the signal to open fire.”
“Despite the diplomatic efforts to maintain peace, the skirmish escalated rapidly when the defensive line received the command to open fire upon the advancing infantry.”
- 01
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
catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust.
- 04
draw fire
To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.
- 05
escape fire
An unconventional or counterintuitive solution to a difficult problem.
- 06
feed the fire
Synonym of add fuel to the fire.
- 07
fight fire with fire
To respond to an attack with a similar or identical counter-attack (e.g. to respond to gunfire with reciprocal gunfire).
- 08
fight fires
To deal with urgent matters and minor emergencies rather than longer-term work.
Last updated August 10, 2026