flare
Related to flare: solar flare
flare out
1. To spread or fan something out. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "flare" and "out." Flare out the pages so that I can see them all at once.
2. To widen or expand something. Now you need to flare out the sides to create the opening of the bowl.
3. To widen away from something. I don't like the way the hemline flares out—do you?
4. To react with sudden, intense anger. Hey, don't flare out at me, I'm just the messenger! I couldn't help but flare out when I heard about the latest printing mishap.
5. To emit or release a flame or light. Look, there's a light flaring out up ahead! Help is on the way!
See also: flare, out
flare up
1. To begin to burn. Don't worry, the tinder will flare up eventually.
2. To begin to burn more intensely. The fire suddenly flared up and crackled even louder.
3. To suddenly worsen or intensify. My arthritis always seems to flare up at this time of year.
4. To suddenly lash out in anger. After I accidentally tapped that guy with my shopping cart, he just flared up and started screaming in my face!
5. To intensify into violence. This area is so unstable that war is liable to flare up at any moment.
See also: flare, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
flare out
to spread out; to widen. (Said especially of one opening of a tube or round-topped vessel.) The end of the pipe flared out to a larger diameter. The top of the vase flared out, and was decorated with little blobs of colored glass.
See also: flare, out
flare something out
to spread something out; to make something wider. (Said especially of one end of a tube or round-topped vessel.) Can you flare the end of this pipe out a little? Flare out the end of this pipe.
See also: flare, out
flare up
1. Lit. [for something] to ignite and burn. The firewood flared up at last—four matches having been used.
2. Lit. [for a fire] to burn brightly again and expand rapidly. After burning quietly for a while, the fire suddenly flared up and made the room very bright.
3. Fig. [for a pain or medical condition] to get worse suddenly. My arthritis flares up during the damp weather.
4. Fig. [for a dispute] to break out or escalate into a battle. A war flared up in the Middle East. We can't send the whole army every time a dispute flares up.
5. and flare up at someone or something Fig. to lose one's temper at someone or something. I could tell by the way he flared up at me that he was not happy with what I had done. I didn't mean to flare up.
See also: flare, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
flare up
Suddenly become angry, as in She flared up at the slightest provocation. This metaphoric expression, dating from the mid-1800s, transfers a sudden burst of flame to sudden rage.
See also: flare, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
flare out
v.
1. To curve away distinctly: This skirt flares out below the knee.
2. To emit a flame or something shaped like a flame: The candles we were carrying flared out in the night. A beacon flared out from the lighthouse.
3. To make a sudden, angry verbal attack: The sergeant flared out at the troops.
See also: flare, out
flare up
v.
1. To begin to increase in intensity: My rash flared up when I went outdoors into the sunshine.
2. To express sudden, strong negative emotions, especially anger or hate: The store manager flared up when the employee started talking back.
See also: flare, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- flare out
- angle
- angling
- orient
- orient to
- orient to (something)
- spiff up
- spiffed up
- involve with
- involved with