The factory went up in flames (=was destroyed by fire).
A flame-thrower is a device which produces a stream of burning
liquid and is used for military
purposes or for clearing wild land.
If a substance is flame retardant, it will slow down the spread of fire.
flame verb [I]
The coals flamed when she blew over them.
FIGURATIVE His face flamed (red) (=quickly coloured) with anger.
FIGURATIVE Seeing the damage made hatred flame (=become quickly
and strongly felt)
within her.
flaming adjective [before n]
FIGURATIVE They usually get along well but last night they had
a flaming (=angry and
severe) row. [before n]
bait (FOOD)
verb, noun
(to use) a small amount of food put on a hook or in a special
device to attract and catch a fish or
animal
They were digging up worms to use for bait. [U]
The fish nibbled at the bait on the hook. [U]
We put down some poisoned bait to kill the rats. [U]
Have you got any stale cheese that I can bait the mousetrap with?
[T]
FIGURATIVE Free holidays were offered as (a) bait to (=a way
of attracting)
customers. [C/U]
FIGURATIVE I told my sister I'd lend her my new shirt if she
let me borrow her jacket, but
she didn't rise to/take/swallow the bait (=I wasn't able to trick
her into doing it). [U]