brush fire

brush fire
noun Date: 1850 1. a fire involving low-growing plants (as scrub and brush) 2. a minor conflict or crisis <
putting out political brush fires
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • brush fire — brush′ fire n. a fire in an area of bushes, shrubs, or brush, as distinct from a forest fire • Etymology: 1770–80, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • brush fire — ☆ brush fire n. 1. a fire in brushwood 2. a sudden flare up, as of a military nature, that threatens to spread or intensify unless brought under control …   English World dictionary

  • brush fire — noun an uncontrolled fire that consumes brush and shrubs and bushes (Freq. 1) • Hypernyms: ↑fire * * * noun Etymology: brush (I) : a fire involving scrub trees, brush, or other growth that is heavier than grass but not of full tree size * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • brush-fire — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adjective Etymology: brush fire of warfare : limited in scale or in area a mobile striking force, always on the ready, to fight brush fire wars Newsweek * * * /brush fuyeur /, adj. limited in scope, area, or importance, as some labor… …   Useful english dictionary

  • brush|fire war — «BRUHSH FYR», a war confined to a small area or occurring on a small scale …   Useful english dictionary

  • brush-fire — /brush fuyeur /, adj. limited in scope, area, or importance, as some labor disputes or local skirmishes. Also, brushfire. [1945 50] * * * …   Universalium

  • brush fire — 1. a fire in an area of bushes, shrubs, or brush, as distinct from a forest fire. 2. any small but persistent problem, as within a large organization, a department of a government, or between nations: border skirmishes and other international… …   Universalium

  • brush fire — burning of small trees and grasses, fire which is in an open grassy area …   English contemporary dictionary

  • brush — brush1 [ brʌʃ ] noun ** ▸ 1 tool ▸ 2 light touch ▸ 3 short experience ▸ 4 fox s tail ▸ 5 trees/branches ▸ 6 use of a brush 1. ) count an object used for painting, cleaning things, or making your hair neat. It consists of a handle with stiff… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • brush — [[t]brʌ̱ʃ[/t]] ♦♦♦ brushes, brushing, brushed 1) N COUNT A brush is an object which has a large number of bristles or hairs fixed to it. You use brushes for painting, for cleaning things, and for tidying your hair. We gave him paint and brushes …   English dictionary

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