blaze1

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

• 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 figurativeBarbara’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.