brush-fire
or brush·fire
[ bruhsh-fahyuh r ]
/ ˈbrʌʃˌfaɪər /
adjective
limited in scope, area, or importance, as some labor disputes or local skirmishes.
Origin of brush-fire
First recorded in 1945–50
Words nearby brush-fire
Definition for brush-fire (2 of 2)
brush fire
noun
a fire in an area of bushes, shrubs, or brush, as distinct from a forest fire.
any small but persistent problem, as within a large organization, a department of a government, or between nations: border skirmishes and other international brush fires.
Origin of brush fire
An Americanism dating back to 1770–80
Example sentences from the Web for brush-fire
The other man did say, A pit tea it was she could nt have had a little sight to see that brush-fire ahead.
The Story of Opal |Opal Whiteley
British Dictionary definitions for brush-fire
brush fire
noun
a fire in bushes and scrub
a minor local war