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fight fire with fire. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
fight fire with fire, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
fight fire with fire in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
fight fire with fire you have here. The definition of the word
fight fire with fire will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
fight fire with fire, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Either from the practice of starting back fires to prevent the uncontrolled spread of wildfires, or from gunfire which is fought by firing back at the enemy.
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This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “Which of the two is it? The first is now probably the usual interpretation, but is it also the historical one?”
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Pronunciation
Verb
fight fire with fire (third-person singular simple present fights fire with fire, present participle fighting fire with fire, simple past and past participle fought fire with fire)
- (idiomatic) To respond to an attack with a similar or identical counter-attack (e.g. to respond to gunfire with reciprocal gunfire).
Translations
respond to an attack with a counter-attack
See also