Dictionary

spread like wildfire en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (intransitive, qualifier:simile) To spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably.
   • The propaganda of the rebels spread like wild-fire, and the hopes of the more daring Irish Catholics rose high. 1789, The Gentleman's Magazine, page 651:
   • Inspired by Edith Piaf’s 1951 song of the same name, Padam Padam is a reference to the sound of the human heartbeat, and has spread like wildfire thanks to its infectious nature and brevity (it clocks in at 2 mins, 46 seconds). 2023 May 31, Nadia Khomami, “Kylie Minogue ‘bursting with joy’ as new single Padam Padam soars up charts”, in The Guardian:
   • The virus spread like wildfire throughout the Internet.
   • It became a popular garden plant in the 20th century, when a Chinese variant (Buddleia Davidii ^([sic])) was introduced. That's when the trouble started. The plant has spread like wildfire since. Its fast-growing invasive nature and survivability is a huge problem for the railways, as (left alone) it can cause serious, expensive damage to structures, block drivers sightlines, or pose a risk to lineside workers. 2024 November 13, Paul Bigland, “Much to admire... but pockets of neglect”, in RAIL, number 1022, page 49:
   • "We can sense the tension in Perth," wrote the Scotsman, "when the news spread like wildfire that a runaway engine of ancient vintage was heading north without a soul on the footplate. 1941 October, “Notes and News: A Highland Runaway”, in Railway Magazine, page 469:

Forms

Translations (17)

pt espalhar como um relâmpago (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · pt espalhar como um rastilho de pólvora (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · cs šířit se jako požár (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · it diffondersi a macchia d'olio (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · pl rozejść się lotem błyskawicy (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · nl als een lopend vuurtje verspreiden (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · es correr como la pólvora (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · cmn 不脛而走 /不胫而走 (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · ru распространя́ться как лесно́й пожа́р (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · de sich wie ein Lauffeuer verbreiten (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · fr se répandre comme une traînée de poudre (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · fi levitä kuin kulovalkea (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · sv sprida sig som en präriebrand (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · pl rozchodzić się lotem błyskawicy (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · ja 瞬く間に広まる (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · hu futótűzként terjed (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably) · sv sprida sig som en löpeld (spread or disseminate rapidly or uncontrollably)