flare-up
(flɛərʌp)
[f. verbal phrase flare up: see flare v. The stress is variable (cf. breakdown), but most commonly falls on the first syll.]
1. A sudden breaking out into flame.
| 1859 M. Napier Life Dundee I. ii. 351 The star of Lauderdale..well nigh consumed the patriot Duke [Hamilton] with the fierceness of its flare-up. 1864 Realm 13 Apr. 2 The percussion and flare up of lucifer-matches. |
2. fig. a. A brilliant but temporary access (of popularity, etc.).
b. A vehement outbreak of anger; a violent commotion.
c. An uproarious merrymaking, a ‘spree’.
| a. 1866 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 327 That flare-up of popularity in Edinburgh. 1850 Rossetti Let. 3 Sept. (1965) I. 92 The Guardian..contains a flare-up review of The Gurm. 1960 Times 2 Mar. 11/2 A border flare-up not directly concerned with the water issue. 1970 F. McKenna Gloss. Railwaymen's Talk 35 A flare-up usually took place on a Saturday night when the men enjoyed themselves after a week of tension and hard work. |
| b. 1837–40 Haliburton Clockm. (1862) 239 Some of our young citizens..got into a flare-up with a party of boatmen..a desperate row it was too. 1839 Sir C. Napier in Bruce Life iv. (1885) 133 The men would have been destroyed or defeated, and a pretty flare-up would have run like wildfire to Carlisle. 1845 W. Irving Life & Lett. (1866) III. 381 The President's Message..has not been of a tone to create any flare-up in England. 1884 Manch. Exam. 7 May 5/3 When the Council..shows a determination to have a decisive voice..there is a flare up. |
| c. 1844 Alb. Smith Adv. Mr. Ledbury vii. (1886) 21 We ought to have a flare-up in our rooms. 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 160 Some have been having a flare-up. |
3. Naut. A night-signal made by burning some highly inflammable material. Also
flare-up light.
| 1858 Adm. Reg. in Merc. Marine Mag. V. 103 Pilot-vessels..are to exhibit a Flare-up Light every 15 minutes. 1880 C. B. Berry Other Side 11 At night she [a pilot boat] burns a ‘flare up’ whenever she sights a ship's light. 1883 Daily News 25 June 5/6 Rockets were at once sent up and blue lights and flare-ups burned. |