brush fire

noun

a fire in an area of bushes, shrubs, or brush, as distinct from a forest fire.
any small but persistent problem, as within a large organization, a department of a government, or between nations:
border skirmishes and other international brush fires.

brush-fire

or brush·fire

[ bruhsh-fahyuhr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

limited in scope, area, or importance, as some labor disputes or local skirmishes.

brush fire

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

First recorded in 1945–50

“Critical race theory turning school boards into GOP proving grounds,” by Daniel PayneThe sparks coming off a brush fire.

The other man did say, A pit tea it was she could nt have had a little sight to see that brush-fire ahead.

The boys, on awakening, found Cal already up and about, and the fragrance of his sage brush fire scenting the clear air.

While we did this Iksialook filled the kettle with bits of ice and melted it over his brush fire and made tea.

Sprinkle kerosene on it or burn it out frequently with a brush fire.

Our fire-bell sounds just as terrible for a little brush fire as it would for a flaming powder-mill.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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