fire-break

A wide fire-break separates the pine forest from the dry grassland.

Definition

Noun: - A strip of land that has been cleared of vegetation to stop or slow the spread of a fire, especially in forests or grasslands. - A fire-break is created by removing trees, brush, or grass to create a barrier that fire cannot easily cross.

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to act as a fire-break": to function as a barrier or obstacle that prevents the rapid spread of something (often used metaphorically).
  • The new regulations acted as a fire-break against the spread of misinformation. (The regulations slowed or stopped the spread of false information.)

Variants and Related Words

• Firebreak (n): alternative spelling of "fire-break", with the same meaning.
  • The firebreak was clearly marked on the map. (The cleared strip of land.)
• Fire-resistant (adj): able to withstand or resist fire.
  • Fire-resistant materials are used in building construction.

Synonyms

• Fireguard: a barrier or strip of land cleared to prevent the spread of fire.
• Fire line: a cleared area used to contain a fire.

Related Idioms

• Fight fire with fire: to use the same methods as an opponent (not directly related to fire-breaks, but shares the fire metaphor).
  • The company decided to fight fire with fire by launching a similar advertising campaign. (They responded with equal force.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Break up (in context): to separate or stop the progress of something.
  • The fire-break helped break up the advance of the flames. (It disrupted the fire's path.)