bring the fire under control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring the fire under control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to firefighting, emergency response, or managing a situation that is out of control. Example: "The firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control before it spread to nearby homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It took four days to bring the fire under control.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It took firefighters about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

The New York Times

A water bombing helicopter was called in to help bring the fire under control.

The Guardian

It took about four hours to bring the fire under control, and by then, no sewage was being treated.

The New York Times

Another video from the Facebook page shows firefighters still trying to bring the fire under control Thursday night.

The New York Times

The London Fire Brigade tweeted that crews are still at the scene attempting to bring the fire under control.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Firefighters reported seeing 40ft high flames at the height of the emergency, and they fear that as they bring the fires under control it is possible they could spread again.

The Guardian

Firefighters, soldiers, helicopters and planes are all being used to trying to bring the fires under control.

BBC

"This seems to be successful at this stage in bringing the fire under control".

Independent

Officials claimed to have brought the fire under control within hours.

The New York Times

Fire officials said 121 firefighters who were called to the scene brought the fire under control by 1 a.m.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on firefighting efforts, use "bring the fire under control" to clearly communicate that the situation is being managed and the fire is no longer spreading uncontrollably.

Common error

Do not use "bring the fire under control" until there is clear evidence that the fire's spread has been stopped and active suppression is effectively reducing the flames. Prematurely claiming control can undermine credibility if the fire later escalates.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring the fire under control" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken to manage and contain a fire. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing firefighting efforts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring the fire under control" is a common and correct verb phrase used to describe the action of managing and containing a fire. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase indicates that firefighting efforts are effectively preventing further spread of the flames. While alternatives like "contain the fire" or "extinguish the blaze" exist, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, avoiding premature claims of control. The most authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this phrase in their reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the fire under control

Similar in meaning but uses a slightly different verb.

contain the fire

Highlights the act of preventing the fire from spreading.

put out the fire

A more informal way of saying the fire was extinguished.

extinguish the blaze

Emphasizes the act of putting out the fire.

manage the blaze

Focuses on the ongoing effort to keep the fire in check.

suppress the flames

Focuses on containing and reducing the intensity of the fire.

subdue the fire

Indicates bringing the fire to a manageable state.

quell the fire

Implies a forceful suppression of the fire.

control the conflagration

Uses a more formal and intense term for fire.

tame the flames

Uses metaphorical language to describe controlling the fire.

FAQs

What does it mean to "bring the fire under control"?

To "bring the fire under control" means to manage and contain a fire, preventing it from spreading further and actively reducing its intensity.

How to use "bring the fire under control" in a sentence?

You can use "bring the fire under control" in a sentence like: "Firefighters worked tirelessly to "bring the fire under control" before it reached nearby homes."

What can I say instead of "bring the fire under control"?

You can use alternatives like "contain the fire", "extinguish the blaze", or "suppress the flames" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "bring the fire under control" and "put out the fire"?

"Bring the fire under control" implies managing and containing the fire, while "put out the fire" means completely extinguishing it. Bringing it under control is often a necessary step before completely extinguishing it.