wildfire

like wildfire

Very rapidly and uncontrollably. I didn't expect that rumor to spread like wildfire, but it seems like everyone has heard about it already.
See also: like, wildfire

spread like wildfire

To spread, circulate, or propagate very quickly and widely. Likened to the rapid spread of a literal wildfire. News of the scandal spread like wildfire across the news outlets. An outbreak of the deadly virus has been spreading like wildfire through the closely confined camps of refugees.
See also: like, spread, wildfire
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spread like wildfire

Fig. [for something] to spread rapidly. Rumors spread like wildfire when people are excited. This disease will spread like wildfire when it gets going.
See also: like, spread, wildfire
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

spread like wildfire

Disseminate or circulate very quickly, as in The rumor about their divorce spread like wildfire. The noun wildfire means "a raging, rapidly spreading conflagration." [c. 1800]
See also: like, spread, wildfire
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

spread like wildfire

COMMON If something, especially information or a disease, spreads like wildfire, it very quickly reaches or affects a lot of people. The news of his release spread like wildfire. These stories were spreading like wildfire through the neighbourhood. The virus swept through the team like wildfire. Note: This expression may refer to the way that fires which start in the countryside spread very quickly and are difficult to control.
See also: like, spread, wildfire
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

spread like wildfire

spread with great speed.
See also: like, spread, wildfire
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

spread like ˈwildfire

(especially of news or disease) travel or spread very quickly: Rumours about a fall in the price of oil spread like wildfire in the city. Cholera spread like wildfire through the camps.
See also: like, spread, wildfire
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

like wildfire

Rapidly and intensely: The disease spread like wildfire.
See also: like, wildfire
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

spread like wildfire, to

To disseminate very quickly. Wildfire here denotes a combination of inflammable materials that catch fire very fast. The analogy to less concrete matters was drawn by about 1800. Benjamin Disraeli used it in Venetia (1837): “The report . . . spread like wild fire through the town.”
See also: like, spread
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • like wildfire
  • spread like wildfire
  • spread like wildfire, to
  • rumor monger
  • do (one's) block
  • fly into a rage
  • fly into a rage, temper, etc.
  • temper
  • go apeshit
  • go bitchcakes
References in periodicals archive
'The newly completed upgrades to our Wildfire Safety Operations Center provide additional critical tools to enable our team of experts to monitor wildfire risks across our service territory,' said Sumeet Singh, PG&E vice president of the Community Wildfire Safety Program.
New Upgrades for PG&E's Wildfire Safety Operations Center
"I have been a fireman for 25 years, and I have been a trained tactical wildfire advisor for the past two years.
A BURNING AMBITION; Wildfires are on the rise across the country and can have devastating effects on rural communities. Ellie House spoke to Alex McKinley, the man responsible for co-ordinating the response, and discovered why crews are fighting fire with fire A BURNING AMBITION
Newsom's report calls for shifting liability for wildfire damage to a fault-based system.
California Gov. Newsom Proposes Fund to Cover Wildlife Liabilities
close to the with through have The above average weather conditions have elevated wildfire risk across the county.
Moorland devastation; AERIAL SHOTS SHOW THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE ON MARSDEN MOOR FOLLOWING BLAZE
901 did not address equitable distribution of catastrophic wildfire-related costs or inverse condemnation, it does provide a potential path to recovery of wildfire liabilities and establishes a commission -- the Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost Recovery -- to consider and make recommendations regarding such costs to the Legislature by July 1, 2019.
Fitch Downgrades PG&E Corp and Utility Sub to 'BBB-' on Negative Watch
The recent devastating camp fire-begun conflagration that killed 85 people and destroyed about 14,000 homes in California has created more awareness of the potential for devastating wildfires, said Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) Fire Chief Randy Giachelli.
Wildfires like those seen in California possible in Mississippi: "Good fires can prevent bad ones"
Insurers such as Chubb and PURE are contracting with third-party wildfire defense firms to receive monitoring and pre-suppression services if a fire approaches an at-risk property.
Insurers React
To report a wildfire in the state of Mississippi, call 1-833-MFC-FIRE (1-833-632-3473).
Stop Wildfires at the Starting Line: Fall Wildfire Prevention and Awareness
I found your article on wildfire (Tuesday, July 17) most interesting and pertinent, if rather alarmist.
Efforts to reduce risk of wildfires
I FOUND your article on wildfire (Tues 27/7) most interesting and pertinent, if rather alarmist.
Protect land from wildfires
72(t) on early distributions from a qualified retirement plan will not apply to any "qualified wildfire distribution." A qualified wildfire distribution is any distribution (up to $100,000) from a plan described in Sec.
Bipartisan Budget Act contains tax provisions: Tax relief for victims of California wildfires, extension of many lapsed temporary incentives, and a new short-form return for seniors are among the act's revenue provisions
This year's wildfire season has been devastating for California, and has been called the deadliest in the state's history.
Devastating Wildfires In California
Four years ago almost to the day, 19 firefighters from Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots died battling a wildfire a few miles away.
At least 29 large wildfires ravage Western states [slideshow]
What's more, wildfire season -- meaning seasons with higher wildfire potential -- has universally become longer over the past 40 years.
How climate change is increasing forest fires around the world