fight fire with fire

fight fire with fire {v. phr.}, {slightly formal}, {of Biblical origin}

To fight back in the same way one was attacked; make a defense similar to the attack.

The candidate was determined to fight fire with fire in the debate.

Categories:

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

To section: F

Subscribe to: American Idioms

✉

Our RSS-channels

Show All

See as well

fire

[fire] See: [BALL OF FIRE], [BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA] or [BETWEEN TWO FIRES], [BUILD A FIRE UNDER], [BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE], [CATCH FIRE], [DRAW FIRE], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

under fire

[under fire] {adv. phr.} Being shot at or being attacked; hit by attacks or accusations; under attack. * /The soldiers stood firm under fire of the enemy./ * /The principal […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

cross fire

[cross fire] {n.} 1. Firing in a fight or battle from two or more places at once so that the lines of fire cross. * /The soldiers on the bridge […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

set fire to

[set fire to] {v. phr.} To cause to burn; start a fire in. * /The sparks set fire to the oily rags./ Compare: [CATCH FIRE]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

Mignon McLaughlin

U.S. journalist, author of The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960 No one really listens to anyone else, and if you try it for a while […]

язык проглатывать

[язык проглатывать] {v. phr.} {informal} [ya`zyik pro`glatyivat'] {literally} swallow one's tongue; usually […]

close in

[close in] {v.} To come in nearer from all sides. * /We wanted the boat to reach shore before the fog closed in./ - Often […]

pull through

[pull through] {v.} 1. To help through; bring safely through a difficulty or sudden trouble; save. * /A generous loan showed […]