a wall of fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wall of fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a literal or metaphorical barrier that is intense, overwhelming, or destructive, often in a dramatic context. Example: "The firefighters faced a wall of fire as they battled the raging inferno that threatened the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"It was a wall of fire".

The New York Times

The race will end with a wall of fire.

The New York Times

Firefighters had difficulty seeing through what he called "a wall of fire".

The New York Times

At the end, he rides an IRL motorcycle through a wall of fire.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the catalog Mr. Newkirk calls it a "wall of fire".

The New York Times - Arts

Next on Mr. Kleanthis's list: Putting a wall of fire behind the gurgling rock whirlpool.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

As they made their way back out, with Jalila holding the hand of the Kurdish interpreter, she saw jihadis shooting from a building across the road, and the Americans laid down a wall of covering fire.

Independent

Each night, the 40 or so two-woman crews flew 8 or more missions — sometimes as many as 18. "Almost every time we had to sail through a wall of enemy fire," Nadezhda Popova, one of the first volunteers — who herself flew 852 missions — said in an interview for David Stahel's book "Operation Typhoon: Hitler's March on Moscow, October 1941," published this year.

The New York Times

Sometimes, in my dreams, there are a blanket of meteors or there's a wall of explosive fire or a mile-high tsunami.

Vice

Google's augmented eyewear has plenty of sceptics, but here's one scenario: "When there's a wall of police firing plastic bullets at you, and you're running through a wall of tear-gas, having your hands free to cover your face, while saying 'OK Glass, record a video', makes that recording process a lot… easier," says Tim Pool.

The Guardian - Tech

At the heart of the Mann Gulch story, as Maclean told it — and as it later spread, in inspirational and self-help books — was the survival of one firefighter who, in the face of an onrushing wall of fire, lit a new fire and burned a clearing around himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wall of fire", consider the emotional impact you want to create. The phrase evokes a sense of danger, intensity, and potential destruction, so ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a wall of fire" too casually in metaphorical situations. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely convey a sense of overwhelming force or opposition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a wall of fire" is that of a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant and dangerous phenomenon. Ludwig's examples showcase its descriptive capacity across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a wall of fire" is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used to describe a literal or metaphorical barrier of intense flames or overwhelming opposition. Ludwig highlights its frequent appearance in news and media, creating vivid imagery of danger and destruction. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts to maintain its impact. Related phrases include "an inferno" and "a raging blaze", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to use "a wall of fire" judiciously to effectively communicate the intended sense of intensity and obstruction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sheet of flame

Emphasizes the visual aspect of a wide, unbroken expanse of fire.

a raging blaze

Focuses on the uncontrolled and intense nature of the fire.

a sea of flames

Uses a metaphorical comparison to emphasize the vastness and fluidity of the fire.

an inferno

Simplifies the imagery to a single word representing a large fire.

a massive firestorm

Describes a fire with turbulent winds and intense heat.

a fiery barrier

Highlights the obstructive nature of the fire, acting as a block.

a towering inferno

Emphasizes the height and intensity of the fire.

an intense conflagration

Uses more formal language to describe a large and destructive fire.

an all-consuming fire

Highlights the destructive capacity of the fire.

a line of fire

Changes the spatial arrangement to a linear form.

FAQs

How can I use "a wall of fire" in a sentence?

You can use "a wall of fire" to describe a literal fire, such as "The firefighters battled "a wall of fire" to save the building", or metaphorically, such as "He faced "a wall of fire" of criticism after his controversial statement".

What's a good alternative to "a wall of fire"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an inferno", "a raging blaze", or "a sheet of flame".

Is it correct to use "a wall of fire" metaphorically?

Yes, "a wall of fire" can be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming or intense situation, obstacle, or opposition. Its effectiveness depends on the context and the desired impact.

What kind of imagery does "a wall of fire" evoke?

"A wall of fire" creates a strong visual image of intense heat, danger, and potential destruction. It suggests an impassable barrier or an overwhelming force.