flare
flare — verb
1. If a flame or fire flares, it suddenly becomes brighter and burns with an unstea
If a flame or fire flares, it suddenly becomes brighter and burns with an unsteady light, often for just a few moments before fading or going out.
The campfire flared up when Indra added dry leaves to it.
phrasal pattern: flare up (of fire)
A match flared briefly in the dark room before going out.
The candle flame flared in the cold breeze, then settled again.
When the wind hit the embers, the fire flared and lit up the whole garden.
A gas leak caused the stove to flare suddenly in the kitchen.
文法句型
flare
flare up
用法筆記
Often used with 'up' to emphasise the suddenness of the burst of flame. 'Flare up' can also describe a fire that has been dampened or nearly out and reignites briefly.
常見錯誤
2. When something unpleasant — such as fighting, a medical condition, or a strong e
When something unpleasant — such as fighting, a medical condition, or a strong emotion — flares or flares up, it starts again suddenly or becomes much more serious after a period of being quiet or controlled.
The violence between the two communities flared up again after the court decision.
phrasal pattern: flare up (of conflict)
Yuki's back pain flares every time she sits at the computer for too long.
intransitive: pain flares
Tensions flared at the school board meeting when funding was discussed.
The old argument between the neighbours flared up again over parking.
Her anger flared when she read the unfair review of her work.
文法句型
flare up
flare
用法筆記
The form 'flare up' is more common than 'flare' alone for this sense. Subjects are usually negative: violence, conflict, tension, anger, pain, disease, or an old problem. Not used for positive situations — a party does not 'flare up'.
常見錯誤
3. to become gradually broader towards the bottom or at one end — for example, when
to become gradually broader towards the bottom or at one end — for example, when a person's nostrils spread wider in anger, or the lower part of a skirt is cut to be wider than the top.
The horse's nostrils flared when it caught the scent of water.
intransitive: body part flares
Élise bought a skirt that flares out just below the knee.
intransitive: clothing flares
His nostrils flared with anger as he listened to the accusation.
The trousers flare at the ankle, making them easy to move in.
Fatima flared her nostrils in frustration at the unfair decision.
文法句型
nostrils flare
trousers / skirt flares
flare one's nostrils
用法筆記
When used transitively, the object is almost always 'nostrils'. The intransitive use is more common and describes either a body part (nostrils) or an item of clothing (skirt, trousers) that widens towards the bottom.
常見錯誤
flare — noun
1. a sudden, brief brightening of a flame or fire, often dying down quickly after a
a sudden, brief brightening of a flame or fire, often dying down quickly after appearing
The campfire gave one last bright flare before it turned to ash.
Élise watched the flare of the match as she lit the candle by the window.
collocation: flare of + flame source
A sudden flare from the gas stove caught Diya's attention while she cooked.
Each bright flare of the fireworks lit up the faces of the crowd below.
Noor saw the flare of the lantern flicker when the wind blew through the tent.
常見錯誤
2. a fiery glow or coloured cloud sent up to warn others or ask for rescue, or a ha
a fiery glow or coloured cloud sent up to warn others or ask for rescue, or a handheld or launched item that creates such a signal
The sailors fired a red flare into the sky to signal for help.
verb collocation: fire a flare
Ramón packed a flare in his emergency kit before the solo hiking trip.
Search teams spotted the orange flare from the stranded climbers on the ridge.
The coast guard launched a bright flare to mark the position of the rescue boat.
Mira kept two signal flares in the lifeboat drawer for maritime emergencies.
- signal rocket
more specific to pyrotechnic projectiles launched from a tube
- distress signal
broader; can be a flare, a radio call, or a flag
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs like 'fire', 'launch', 'set off', 'shoot'. The device itself is also called a 'flare gun' or 'signal flare'.
常見錯誤
3. trousers or jeans that become wider from the knee down to the bottom of each leg
trousers or jeans that become wider from the knee down to the bottom of each leg, often called bell-bottoms
Naoko wore a pair of purple flares to the 1970s-themed party.
usually plural: flares
The shop window displayed jeans with a subtle flare at the bottom.
Tuan's old flares came back into fashion after twenty years in a box.
Maeve bought two pairs of flares—one in black and one in blue denim.
- bell-bottoms
common American term for very wide flares that resemble a bell shape
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'flares' when referring to the trousers themselves.
常見錯誤
4. the quality or shape of becoming wider towards one end, used especially of cloth
the quality or shape of becoming wider towards one end, used especially of clothing, fabric, or other materials
Stephanie liked the gentle flare of the skirt as it spread when she spun.
collocation: flare of + garment
The tailor adjusted the flare of the trousers by adding extra fabric at the hem.
A slight flare at the cuff gives the sleeve a more relaxed and modern look.
Decorators chose curtains with a soft flare at the bottom for the dining room.
5. an American football play where the quarterback tosses the ball sideways to a ru
an American football play where the quarterback tosses the ball sideways to a running back heading for the sideline
The quarterback threw a quick flare to the running back on third down.
Ramón caught the flare and gained seven yards before being tackled near the sideline.
verb collocation: catch a flare
Diya watched the receiver turn up the field after catching the short flare pass.
A well-timed flare to the back can pick up quick yardage against a tight defence.
用法筆記
A specific American football term. The play is called a 'flare route' or 'flare pass', distinct from longer throws like 'deep passes'.
6. a baseball hit softly so that it travels only a little way into the outfield, us
a baseball hit softly so that it travels only a little way into the outfield, usually dropping in front of the deeper fielders
The batter hit a lazy flare to the center fielder for an easy second out.
Elena ran in from left field and caught the soft flare just before it dropped.
verb collocation: catch a flare
A short flare over second base dropped between three fielders for a single.
Dewi hit a flare into shallow right field that landed just inside the foul line.
7. In gymnastics, a move in which a person supports their body weight on their hand
In gymnastics, a move in which a person supports their body weight on their hands while rotating both legs sideways in a broad circle, keeping the rest of the body off the floor.
Niran practised the flare on the pommel horse every morning before school.
collocation: practise + the flare
The gymnastics coach showed the class how to keep their legs straight during a flare.
verb pattern: showed + how to + infinitive
A clean flare requires strong shoulders and good hip control.
The audience gasped when she moved from a handstand into a perfect flare.
It took Kenji over a year to master the flare movement on the floor exercise.
- circle
A broader term for any circular leg movement in gymnastics; 'flare' is a specific type of circle with legs wide apart.
文法句型
perform + a flare
do + a flare
用法筆記
Usually appears with 'perform', 'do', or 'master'; most common in discussions of pommel horse or floor exercise routines.
常見錯誤
8. A sudden, powerful release of energy and light that happens on the sun and can d
A sudden, powerful release of energy and light that happens on the sun and can disrupt radio communications and satellite systems on Earth.
A large solar flare hit Earth's magnetic field early this morning.
subject: solar flare + verb: hit + object
Scientists warned that the solar flare could disrupt mobile phone signals.
that-clause after 'warned'
Astrid watched a news report about the solar flare affecting satellites in orbit.
The solar flare released a burst of radiation that reached our planet within hours.
Radio operators noticed unusual noise during the solar flare on Tuesday.
- solar eruption
A broader term that can include coronal mass ejections; 'solar flare' specifically refers to the bright burst of electromagnetic radiation.
文法句型
solar flare + verb
a + flare + of + radiation/energy
用法筆記
Often shortened to 'flare' when the context is clearly about the sun; otherwise commonly preceded by 'solar' for clarity.
常見錯誤
9. A sudden, strong display of a feeling such as anger, excitement, jealousy, or ho
A sudden, strong display of a feeling such as anger, excitement, jealousy, or hope, often visible in a person's expression or behaviour.
A flare of anger crossed his face when he heard the unfair comment.
flare of anger + crossed + face
The news brought a sudden flare of hope to the waiting families.
inanimate subject: news + brought + flare of hope
Faisal tried to hide the flare of jealousy when his friend won the prize.
There was a brief flare of excitement as the winning goal was scored.
Renata's flare of temper faded quickly once she understood the mistake.
文法句型
a + flare + of + emotion noun (anger/jealousy/hope/excitement)
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' and an emotion noun (flare of anger, flare of jealousy, flare of excitement). Unlike 'outburst', 'flare' suggests the feeling appears and fades quickly.