flare up meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

flare-up

nounalso spelled flare-up

Etymology Deverbal from flare up.

A sudden outbreak, outburst or eruption (originally of flame, but now used more generally of any violent activity or emotion).

But what I do think is that there's likely to be a regular flare-up soon. And how can one tell where that may end? If only I could get Ambrose to take me away somewhere! But he won't budge.1933, Richard Curle, Corruption, page 75:
The disadvantage of the underfired grill is the potential for flareups, which can cause a burned spot or carbonization. Not only do these taste bad, but they are also carcinogenic.2009, Peter Osbaldeston, The Palm Springs Diner's Bible: A Restaurant Guide for Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, la Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Indio, and Desert Hot Springs, Gretna, La.: Pelican Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 250:

A sudden intensification in activity.

An inflammation such as of tendons (tendonitis) or joints (osteoarthritis).

Although Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic, they are characterized by periods of remission that last for varying amounts of time, interrupted by flare-ups, when symptoms of the disease become more evident.2000, Jon Zonderman, Ronald Vender, Understanding Crohn Disease and Ulcerative Colitis:

verb

To burn brightly again.

To become more intense suddenly.

Sometimes, With “out” instead of “up” To burst out suddenly, as in anger.

The insult made him flare up.
“Well,” I says, “I cal'late a body could get used to Tophet if he stayed there long enough.” ¶ She flared up; the least mite of a slam at Doctor Wool was enough to set her going.1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter V, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:

1 more example

"It's my Welsh half that comes out when I flare up. Let the conjurors take their dirty money and let the rich folk keep their purses shut."1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019: