Fight fire with fire
phrase
To respond to aggression with aggression. To use similar methods to oppose someone or something.
If they criticise our team, we will fight fire with fire and reveal their shortcomings.
Often appears as...
- stand up and fight fire with fire
- going to fight fire with fire
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To respond to aggression with aggression. To use similar methods to oppose someone or something.
If they criticise our team, we will fight fire with fire and reveal their shortcomings.
Often appears as...
- stand up and fight fire with fire
- going to fight fire with fire
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is not about actual fires, but rather confronting a challenge with similar tactics.
When he started to raise his voice, I decided to fight fire with fire and spoke firmly.
Pro Tip 2/3Confrontational Contexts
It's usually used in situations where there's conflict or opposition.
As the debate got heated, she decided to fight fire with fire and argued passionately.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Escalation
Using the phrase hints there could be an increase in tension or aggression in response.
The negotiations were going nowhere, so they chose to fight fire with fire with a firm ultimatum.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is not about actual fires, but rather confronting a challenge with similar tactics.
When he started to raise his voice, I decided to fight fire with fire and spoke firmly.
Pro Tip 2/3Confrontational Contexts
It's usually used in situations where there's conflict or opposition.
As the debate got heated, she decided to fight fire with fire and argued passionately.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Escalation
Using the phrase hints there could be an increase in tension or aggression in response.
The negotiations were going nowhere, so they chose to fight fire with fire with a firm ultimatum.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is not about actual fires, but rather confronting a challenge with similar tactics.
When he started to raise his voice, I decided to fight fire with fire and spoke firmly.
Pro Tip 2/3Confrontational Contexts
It's usually used in situations where there's conflict or opposition.
As the debate got heated, she decided to fight fire with fire and argued passionately.
Pro Tip 3/3Potential Escalation
Using the phrase hints there could be an increase in tension or aggression in response.
The negotiations were going nowhere, so they chose to fight fire with fire with a firm ultimatum.
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