Spread like wildfire
verb phase
To quickly spread or become popular.
The news of the celebrity couple's divorce spread like wildfire.
Often appears as...
- rumors spread like wildfire
- news spread like wildfire
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phase
To quickly spread in all directions.
The forest fire spread like wildfire due to the strong wind.
Often appears as...
- fire spread like wildfire
- disease spread like wildfire
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phase
To quickly spread or become popular.
The news of the celebrity couple's divorce spread like wildfire.
Often appears as...
- rumors spread like wildfire
- news spread like wildfire
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phase
To quickly spread in all directions.
The forest fire spread like wildfire due to the strong wind.
Often appears as...
- fire spread like wildfire
- disease spread like wildfire
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
It's not about actual fire, but about fast transmission of information or trends.
When he announced his retirement, it spread like wildfire across the internet.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative News
Often used for controversial or shocking updates that grab people's attention.
The scandal spread like wildfire through the high school.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotionally Charged
Can carry a sense of urgency or excitement related to the shared information.
The rumor of the bonus spread like wildfire among employees.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
It's not about actual fire, but about fast transmission of information or trends.
When he announced his retirement, it spread like wildfire across the internet.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative News
Often used for controversial or shocking updates that grab people's attention.
The scandal spread like wildfire through the high school.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotionally Charged
Can carry a sense of urgency or excitement related to the shared information.
The rumor of the bonus spread like wildfire among employees.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
It's not about actual fire, but about fast transmission of information or trends.
When he announced his retirement, it spread like wildfire across the internet.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative News
Often used for controversial or shocking updates that grab people's attention.
The scandal spread like wildfire through the high school.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotionally Charged
Can carry a sense of urgency or excitement related to the shared information.
The rumor of the bonus spread like wildfire among employees.
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