Monday, March 28, 2016

inflames, in flames

Inflames or inflames ( one word ) is the third per son singular ( he, she, it ) form of "inflame", meaning to make red, hot, or sore,physically or emotionally--
Eating spicy food always inflames his gout.
The reporters hope to be standing by if his speech inflames the crowd.

In flames or in flames ( two words ) means on fire, literally, or completely and suddenly ruined, figuratively--
They watched helplessly as the building went up in flames.
Our plans for a new house went down in flames.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Agitation inflames his ulcer; don't tell him the project went down in flames."

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