flares up
Bursts out again
Flares up describes a sudden intensification or recurrence.
A disease flares up when symptoms return after a period of calm: My arthritis flares up in cold weather.
Conflict flares up when tensions suddenly escalate: Violence flared up along the border.
A fire flares up when flames suddenly grow stronger.
The noun form is flare-up.
- eruptBurst out suddenly
- boils overExceeds containment, literally/emotionally
- igniteStart burning something
- reactivateRestore to working state
- comes backArrives once more
break out · rekindle · intensify · outburst · blaze · swelling · relapse · escalate · blows up · exacerbation · acts up · surge · outbreak · heated argument · rash · goes off · crisis · inflammation
- losing itloses it, snaps, freaks out, flips out, goes crazy
activity state
flares updies down
Gradually becomes less intense
subsides · calms down · settles down · abates · recedes
emotional/physical eruption
flares upcalms down
Becomes less agitated
cools down · holds back · suppresses · chills out · relaxes