Definition

Noun: - A style of preaching that vividly warns of the punishment of hell: The phrase describes a rhetorical method, especially in religious oratory, that emphasizes the torments of hell—often depicted as involving literal fire and sulfur (brimstone)—to frighten listeners into moral or religious obedience.

Usage

The term is primarily used to characterize a certain type of severe, threatening, and vividly descriptive warning or admonishment. - The preacher delivered a fire and brimstone sermon that left the congregation contemplating their sins. - His management style wasn't about encouragement; it was pure fire and brimstone, constantly threatening us with dismissal.

Advanced Usage

• Used attributively (as a modifier before a noun) to describe something that has the qualities of such preaching.
  • He is known for his fire-and-brimstone speeches on the dangers of corruption.

Variants and Related Words

• Hellfire (n): Often used in a similar context to emphasize the punitive fires of hell.
  • The concept of hellfire is central to many fire and brimstone sermons.

Synonyms

• Damnation: Emphasis on the state of being condemned to hell.
• Judgment: Focus on divine punishment.
• Wrath: Often "divine wrath," focusing on anger.

Related Idioms

• Hellfire and damnation: A near-equivalent phrase with the same meaning and usage.
  • The politician's speech turned into a tirade of hellfire and damnation against his opponents.

Noun

1. (Old Testament) God's means of destroying sinners
   • his sermons were full of fire and brimstone