blaze1

 
Pronunciation: /bleɪz/

noun

  • 1a very large or fiercely burning fire: twenty firemen fought the blaze
  • [in singular] a very bright display of light or colour: the gardens in summer are a blaze of colour
  • [in singular] a conspicuous display or outburst of something: their relationship broke up in a blaze of publicity
  • 2 (blazes) informal used in various expressions of anger, bewilderment, or surprise as a euphemism for ‘hell’: ‘Go to blazes!’ he shouted what the blazes are you all talking about?
    [with reference to the flames associated with hell]

verb

[no object]
  • 1burn fiercely or brightly: the fire blazed merrily
  • (blaze up) burst into flame: he attacked the fire with poker and tongs until it blazed up
  • shine brightly or powerfully: the sun blazed down figurative Barbara’s eyes were blazing with anger
  • 2fire a gun repeatedly or indiscriminately: they stormed with main entrance with guns blazing
  • 3 informal achieve something in an impressive manner: she blazed to a gold medal in the 200-metre sprint
  • [with object] hit (a ball) with impressive strength: he blazed a drive into the rough
  • 4 informal smoke cannabis.

Phrases

like blazes

informal very fast or forcefully: I ran like blazes homewards
[see blaze1 (sense 2 of the noun)]

with all guns blazing

informal with great but reckless determination and energy: they went for him with all guns blazing

Origin:

Old English blæse 'torch, bright fire', of Germanic origin; related ultimately to blaze2