fire under ashes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fire under ashes' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as a metaphor to describe something that has been hidden and is not immediately visible. For example, "The CEO's brilliant plan had been hidden like a fire under ashes, but it eventually shone through".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the veneer of calm masks what many here call the "fire under the ashes," a low-grade burn of cynicism and distrust.

The New York Times

"These uprisings will not be limited to just two countries," Mr. Rafsanjani warned, before describing the protests in Tunisia and Egypt as arising from a "fire under the ashes" — a phrase widely used by the opposition here to refer to their own subdued grievances.

The New York Times

"Maybe on the surface it seems like everything is over, but everyone is keeping the fire under the ashes alive so that when they get the chance they can bring it out into the open again," said a 30-year-old language instructor who, like most people interviewed in Iran for this article, requested anonymity for fear of reprisal by the state.

The New York Times

"It is fire under the ash.

The New York Times

"Well, if he's under fire, I'm under ashes," said Davie, who was Slocum's defensive coordinator before joining Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame in 1994.

The New York Times - Sports

The critics do not seem to recognize that racism is institutionalized in the United States, and is like fire under a thin layer of ashes.

Huffington Post

Old stone to new building, old timber to new fires, Old fires to ashes, and ashes to the earth".

Huffington Post

Fire under control.

The Guardian

Fire under investigation.

Huffington Post

Keep your fire under control.

WikiHow

There's still fire in this ash heap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fire under ashes" to describe situations where there is a deceptive calm, but underlying tensions or issues are present and could resurface unexpectedly.

Common error

Avoid using "fire under ashes" to describe minor or trivial issues. The phrase implies a significant, potentially destructive underlying problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire under ashes" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or an appositive to describe a hidden or suppressed condition. As Ludwig AI notes, it describes something that has been hidden but it's not immediately visible.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fire under ashes" is a metaphor used to describe a situation where there's a hidden or suppressed issue or feeling that could potentially erupt. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its role in describing something concealed. While this phrase is deemed "Rare", it appears most frequently in "News & Media" contexts, suggesting its use in describing underlying tensions in current events. When employing this phrase, remember that it implies a significant underlying problem, and similar expressions such as "simmering discontent" or "underlying tension" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dormant volcano

Emphasizes a period of inactivity with the potential for a sudden eruption.

brewing storm

Suggests an impending crisis or conflict that is gathering strength.

simmering discontent

Highlights the underlying dissatisfaction without specifying its hidden nature.

underlying tension

Indicates a stress or unease that is not immediately visible.

unease beneath the surface

Highlights concealed anxieties that are not initially obvious.

latent potential

Focuses on the untapped possibilities rather than suppressed negativity.

pent-up emotions

Focuses specifically on the accumulation and potential release of strong emotions.

suppressed feelings

Directly addresses the concealment of emotions, lacking the imagery of potential ignition.

hidden animosity

Singles out concealed hostility or resentment.

veiled threat

Highlights a danger or negative outcome that is concealed or not openly expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "fire under ashes" in a sentence?

You can use "fire under ashes" to describe a situation where there is an underlying tension or problem that is not immediately apparent. For example, "Despite the apparent calm, there's a "fire under ashes" in the community due to unresolved grievances".

What does the idiom "fire under ashes" mean?

The idiom "fire under ashes" refers to a situation where strong emotions, ideas, or problems are hidden or suppressed but could easily erupt or resurface.

What are some phrases similar to "fire under ashes"?

Similar phrases include "simmering discontent", "underlying tension", or "dormant volcano". Each carries a slightly different nuance, but all suggest something hidden and potentially explosive.

Is it correct to say "fire under the ash" instead of "fire under ashes"?

While "fire under the ash" might be grammatically understandable, the more common and idiomatic expression is "fire under ashes". Using "ashes" emphasizes the multiple layers of concealment.