Phrasal verb
flare up
Definitions
01fire or light
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to suddenly burn more brightly or strongly.
phr.v. to burst into sudden, intense flame or light after a period of lower activity.
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“The campfire flared up when he threw a handful of dry leaves onto the embers.”
“The fire flared up unexpectedly as the wind shifted, forcing the emergency crews to retreat several yards for safety.”
Usage
Intransitive; does not take a direct object.
02illness or pain
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
phr.v. to suddenly become worse after being better for a while.
phr.v. to recur or intensify suddenly, typically used in a medical context for chronic conditions.
“Her skin allergy tends to flare up whenever she is under a lot of stress.”
“Patients often report that their joint pain flares up during periods of cold, damp weather or following strenuous physical activity.”
Usage
Intransitive; the subject is usually the symptom or the condition.
03anger or violence
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to suddenly become very angry or for a conflict to start again.
phr.v. to erupt into sudden anger, violence, or social unrest.
“Tempers flared up during the meeting when the manager mentioned the new budget cuts.”
“Long-standing tensions between the two rival factions flared up again following the controversial announcement at the border.”
Usage
Intransitive; often used with 'tempers' as the subject.
04a sudden outburst
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a sudden period of increased activity, anger, or illness.
n. a sudden outburst or recurrence of a condition, emotion, or conflict.
“The doctor said the flare-up was caused by a change in his diet.”
“The recent flare-up in regional violence has prompted international observers to call for an immediate ceasefire.”
Teaching tip
Note the hyphenation in the noun form 'flare-up', which distinguishes it from the phrasal verb.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “flare up” in context.
Verb
01. flare up again
“My back pain tends to flare up again whenever I try to lift heavy boxes.”
verb + adv
02. flare up and spread
“The forest fire flared up and spread rapidly due to the high winds.”
verb + and + verb
03. suddenly flare up
“Tensions between the two neighboring countries suddenly flared up after the border incident.”
adv + verb
Noun
04. symptoms flared up
“Her skin symptoms flared up after she spent the afternoon in the direct sunlight.”
noun + verb
05. tempers flared up
“Tempers flared up during the meeting as the two managers disagreed on the budget.”
noun + verb
06. violence flared up
“Localized violence flared up in the capital city following the announcement of the election results.”
noun + verb
Teaching tip
use the image of a fire suddenly getting bigger to help students remember the meaning for abstract things like anger or skin rashes.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
flare + up
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/flare-up
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