[f. verbal phrase flare up: see FLARE v. The stress is variable (cf. BREAKDOWN), but most commonly falls on the first syll.]
1. A sudden breaking out into flame.
1859. M. Napier, Life Dundee, I. II. 350–1. From this long continued and fitful storm, the star of Lauderdale finally emerged more fiery than ever, and well nigh consumed the patriot Duke [Hamilton] with the fierceness of its flare-up, just before it flared out.
1864. Realm, 13 April, 2. The percussion and flare up of lucifer-matches.
2. fig. (not in dignified use): a. A brilliant but temporary access (of popularity, etc.). b. A vehement outbreak of anger; a violent commotion. c. An uproarious merrymaking, a ‘spree.’
a. 1866. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., III. 327. Even at this distance I lost my sleep, and was tattered to fiddlestrings for a week by that flare-up of popularity in Edinburgh.
b. 1837–40. Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 239. Some of our young citizens away above Montgomery got into a flare-up with a party of boatmen that lives on the Mississippi; a desperate row it was too; and three of the Kentuckians were killed as dead as herrins.
1839. Sir C. Napier, in Bruce, Life, iv. (1885), 133. Had a troop of horse alone been at Newport, the men would have been destroyed or defeated, and a pretty flare-up would have run like wildfire to Carlisle.
1845. W. Irving, Life & Lett. (1866), III. 380–1. The President’s Message, though firm and unflinching on the subject of the Oregon question, has not been of a tone to create any flare-up in England.
1884. Manch. Exam., 7 May, 5/3. When the Council … shows a determination to have a decisive voice … there is a flare up.
c. 1844. Alb. Smith, Adv. Mr. Ledbury, vii. (1886), 21. We ought to have a flare-up in our rooms.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 160. These (hot eel) dealers generally trade on their own capital; but when some have been having a flare-up, and have ‘broke down for stock’ to use the words of my informant, they borrow £1 and pay it back in a week or a fortnight.
3. Naut. A night-signal made by burning some highly inflammable material. Also flare-up light.
1858. Adm. Reg., in Merc. Marine Mag., V. 103. Pilot-vessels … are to exhibit a Flare-up Light every 15 minutes.
1880. C. B. Berry, Other Side, 11. At night she [a pilot boat] burns a ‘flare up’ whenever she sights a ship’s light.
1883. Daily News, 25 June, 5/6. Rockets were at once sent up and blue lights and flare-ups burned.
