fire goes out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fire goes out' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase typically used to describe when a fire is extinguished or reduced to embers. For example: "The campfire went out long after everyone had gone to bed" or "The fire had gone out by the time the firetruck arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

One fire goes out and another pops up.

The Guardian - Music

It's done when the fire goes out, the waiter says.

The New York Times - Food

And, you know, when that fire goes out, hopefully the next one isn't sugar.

The Guardian - Music

But as the fire goes out in the West, the eastern countries are shivering and looking for shelter elsewhere.

The Economist

In Edward's view, as the fire goes out in the West, the eastern countries are shivering and looking for shelter elsewhere.

The Economist

Before the fire goes out, use the rest of the heat to make smores.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Had the fire gone out?

The New Yorker

The fire went out, slowly.

The New York Times

DALANZADGAD, Mongolia — The fire went out at 3 a.m.

The New York Times

When the fire went out, there were no brown stains, only smudges of soot.

The New Yorker

There were no reported injuries, and the brief fire went out by itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fire goes out" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the figurative meaning. For example, "The passion for the project began strong, but the fire went out after several setbacks."

Common error

While "fire goes out" is acceptable, it may sound too informal in academic or business writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "was extinguished" or "ceased burning" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire goes out" functions primarily as a declarative statement describing the cessation of burning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. The numerous examples available showcase its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fire goes out" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the cessation of a fire. While versatile, it is most frequently found in neutral contexts like news articles and general reference materials. Its figurative use implies the loss of passion or energy, adding depth to its communicative purpose. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "was extinguished".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flame dies out

Focuses on the flame itself ceasing, implying a gradual process.

fire dies down

Suggests a gradual reduction in the fire's intensity and size.

embers fade away

Highlights the reduction to embers as the fire diminishes.

the burning stops

Simple expression of the fire ending.

fire is extinguished

A more formal way of saying the fire is put out, often by external means.

the blaze subsides

Refers to a larger, more intense fire diminishing in strength.

combustion ceases

A scientific or technical term for the end of burning.

flames are no more

Emphasizes the complete absence of fire.

the inferno ends

Similar to 'blaze subsides' but is specific to infernos and their end.

the hearth cools

Connects the end of the fire with the cooling of the area where it burned.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "the fire went out" metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "the "fire went out"" can mean that someone has lost passion, enthusiasm, or motivation for something.

Is "fire goes out" a literal or figurative expression?

It can be both. Literally, it refers to the physical extinguishing of a fire. Figuratively, it can describe the loss of zeal or energy. For example "the "passion died down"".

What are some more formal ways to say "the fire goes out"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "the fire was extinguished", "combustion ceased", or "the flames subsided".

How can I use "fire goes out" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, such as "The campers made sure the "fire was out" before going to sleep". Or figuratively, as in "After years of struggle, the artist's "inspiration faded", and the fire went out".