stream of fire

USAGE SUMMARY

"stream of fire" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to warfare, intense heat, or metaphorical expressions of passion or energy. Example: The soldiers advanced through a relentless stream of fire from the enemy. Alternative expressions include "barrage of flames" and "flow of fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This program would have the substantial added benefit of reducing the endless stream of fire sales of previously foreclosed houses.

The New York Times

Riding a blinding stream of fire, Endeavour soared from the launching pad at 7 49 p.m. into a clear sky.

The New York Times

The performance is broken up by two half-hour intermissions, benefiting patrons in whom Prince Orlovsky's festivities have inspired a desire to sample the "Feuerstrom der Reben" ("grapes' stream of fire," as the Prince apostrophizes Champagne).

The New York Times - Arts

And the main reasons for his defeat were Sinn Fein's failure to deliver on decommissioning IRA weapons and the constant stream of fire and brimstone Mr Paisley poured on him for dealing with the devil and betraying his community.Nice stuff, powerNow Mr Paisley is doing just what he condemned Mr Trimble for (see article) The reasons seem to be the usual cynical ones.

The Economist

Wood led his men up a steep ravine to reinforce "a few brave fellows, clinging to the edge of the parapet … the little band themselves saved from complete annihilation by the steady stream of fire which they poured over the top of the fort".

The New York Times

Pyro Knights, meanwhile, sport a custom-made stream of fire that moves faster than anything else in the game.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Last night, the drone of the AC-130 gunship could be heard over the mountains, sending streams of fire at Al Qaeda die-hards and dispersing flares to trick any heat-seeking missile Mr. bin Laden's fighters might have.

The New York Times

In all, 3 Israelis and 10 Kenyans died in the explosion, which sent streams of fire so high into the air that they were visible by boaters far offshore.

The New York Times

On the first morning of battle, during a ferocious struggle for the Muhammadia Mosque, about 45 marines with Bravo Company's Third Platoon dashed across 40th Street, right into interlocking streams of fire.

The New York Times

Their scenes together give Iweala the occasion for some of his most lushly emotional passages, with kisses that make Niru feel like "a star caught in the gravitational pull of a black hole, unraveling, spinning under the control of some unseen force, torn into streams of fire forever spiraling, never to be put together again".

The New Yorker

This allows him to shoot streams of fire up to three times.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stream of fire" to vividly describe scenes involving intense heat, explosions, or the rapid spread of flames. The phrase can be used both literally and figuratively to convey strong emotions or intense situations.

Common error

Avoid using "stream of fire" in mundane or trivial situations. The phrase is powerful and should be reserved for scenarios where the imagery of intense fire is truly relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stream of fire" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It is used to describe a continuous flow or outpouring of flames or heat, often conveying a sense of intensity and power. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stream of fire" is a grammatically sound and vividly descriptive noun phrase, generally suitable for neutral to dramatic registers. Ludwig AI validates the phrase as correct and usable. It is most commonly encountered in news and media and wiki-based sources. While not overused, it's best reserved for contexts where its intense imagery is genuinely relevant. Consider similar alternatives such as "flow of fire" or "jet of fire" to tailor your language to the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to overuse it in trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow of fire

Replaces "stream" with "flow", emphasizing the continuous movement of fire.

jet of fire

Substitutes "stream" with "jet", highlighting the focused and forceful projection of fire.

river of fire

Uses "river" instead of "stream" to emphasize the large quantity and continuous flow of fire.

torrent of fire

Replaces "stream" with "torrent", suggesting an overwhelming and powerful flow of fire.

cascade of fire

Substitutes "stream" with "cascade", highlighting a downward flow or fall of fire.

outpouring of fire

Uses "outpouring" to emphasize the release and spread of fire.

surge of fire

Replaces "stream" with "surge", emphasizing a sudden and powerful rush of fire.

barrage of fire

Substitutes "stream" with "barrage", emphasizing the rapid and continuous discharge of fire.

sheet of fire

Uses "sheet" instead of "stream" to describe a wide, continuous expanse of fire.

wave of fire

Replaces "stream" with "wave", conveying the sense of fire moving in a sweeping motion.

FAQs

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

You can use "stream of fire" to describe literal occurrences, such as "The dragon unleashed a "stream of fire" towards the knights", or figuratively, such as "The politician delivered a "stream of fire" against the opposing party".

What phrases are similar to "stream of fire"?

Similar phrases include "flow of fire", "jet of fire", or "torrent of fire", each suggesting a continuous and intense projection of flames.

Is "stream of fire" an overused phrase?

While not inherently overused, "stream of fire" carries a strong image. Reserve it for situations where intense imagery is appropriate to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "burst of flames" or "wave of heat" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "stream of fire" and "fire stream"?

"Stream of fire" describes a continuous flow or outpouring of fire, while "fire stream" typically refers to the water stream used by firefighters to extinguish a fire. Therefore, these two phrases have different meanings.