flare-up
/ˈfleə.rʌp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfler.ʌp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfler-ˌəp/ (ame, mw)
flare-up — noun
1. a sudden and often temporary return or intensification of something unpleasant,
a sudden and often temporary return or intensification of something unpleasant, such as fighting, illness, pain, or strong emotion, after a period of being less active or calm.
A flare-up of violence in the capital forced the embassy to evacuate its staff.
collocation: flare-up of [something]
The doctor prescribed a stronger cream to treat Linnea's painful eczema flare-up.
used with illness: [condition] flare-up
A sudden flare-up of anger made Tomoki slam his fist against the wall.
After weeks of peace, another flare-up along the border left three soldiers wounded.
Chandra's asthma flare-up sent her to the emergency room in the middle of the night.
- outbreak
broader term; suggests the first appearance of something, not necessarily a return
- eruption
more dramatic and forceful; often used for emotions or volcanoes
- outburst
specifically about a sudden release of emotion, usually anger
- upsurge
suggests a general increase in intensity rather than a sudden event
文法句型
a flare-up of [violence/pain/anger]
用法筆記
Often found in news reporting about conflict and in medical discussions about chronic conditions. Typically paired with 'of' to specify the type of outbreak, or placed after a possessive noun to describe someone's episode.
常見錯誤
flare-up — phrasal verb
- flare-upbase form
- flare-ups3rd person singular
- flare-uping-ing form
- flare-upedpast simple
1. to suddenly begin burning with a brighter flame again, especially after a fire h
to suddenly begin burning with a brighter flame again, especially after a fire had been about to go out or had been burning weakly.
The dying campfire flared up when Carlos tossed a handful of dry pine needles onto it.
intransitive: subject [fire] + flare up
Noa watched the match flare up and then die down again in the damp evening air.
The gas burner flared up briefly before settling into a steady blue flame.
Leilani blew gently on the embers until they flared up and caught the kindling.
文法句型
[fire/flame] + flare up
用法筆記
Describes a physical fire or flame. The subject must be the thing that burns — not a person. Often used with 'again' to contrast a dying fire with a renewed flame.
常見錯誤
2. to suddenly become very angry or show strong irritation, often about something t
to suddenly become very angry or show strong irritation, often about something that seems relatively small to others.
Sakura flared up when she discovered that someone had read her private diary.
pattern: flare up + when-clause
The normally patient manager flared up at the intern's repeated carelessness.
pattern: flare up at [someone/something]
Hana knew her father would flare up if he saw the dent in the car door.
Diego flared up instantly when his colleague took credit for his project idea.
- lose one's temper
more general; does not necessarily imply suddenness
- explode
stronger imagery; implies a louder, more dramatic reaction
- blow up
similar register; slightly less formal
文法句型
flare up at [someone/something]
flare up + when-clause
用法筆記
Describes a stronger and more sudden reaction than simply 'get angry'. Frequently used with 'at' to show the target of irritation. The cause is often something the speaker considers minor or unexpected.
常見錯誤
3. to suddenly start again or become much worse after a period during which things
to suddenly start again or become much worse after a period during which things had been calm, quiet, or improving.
Old tensions between the two communities flared up again after the disputed election.
pattern: tensions/conflict flare up
The patient's back pain flared up after she spent the whole morning weeding the garden.
pattern: pain/symptoms flare up
No one expected the border dispute to flare up again so soon after the ceasefire.
Idris worries that violent protests will flare up again if peace talks break down.
文法句型
[conflict/tension/pain] + flare up
flare up again
用法筆記
Common with conflict-related nouns (tensions, dispute, violence) and health-related nouns (pain, symptoms, condition). Because the subject is always the thing returning, it is never used with a human subject in this sense.