Spread like wildfire Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈspɹɛd/ /ˈɫaɪk/ /ˈwaɪɫdˌfaɪɝ

SPRED lyk WYLD-fyr

UK

spɹˈɛd/ /lˈaɪk/ /wˈaɪldfaɪə

sp-RED lyk WYLD-fy-uh

Definition

If something spreads like wildfire, it becomes known or popular extremely quickly, like news or rumors moving fast from person to person.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, vivid metaphor, often used for gossip, news, memes, or trends. Not used for physical fire. Common with topics involving speed of information.

• Spanish: extenderse como la pólvora - propagarse rápidamente
• Portuguese (BR): espalhar-se como fogo - espalhar-se rapidamente
• Portuguese (PT): espalhar-se como fogo - espalhar-se rapidamente
• Chinese (Simplified): 像野火一样蔓延 - 迅速传播
• Chinese (Traditional): 像野火一樣蔓延 - 迅速流傳
• Hindi: आग की तरह फैलना - बहुत तेजी से फैलना
• Arabic: ينتشر كالنار في الهشيم - ينتشر بسرعة
• Bengali: আগুনের মত ছড়িয়ে পড়া - দাবানলের মতো ছড়ানো
• Russian: молниеносно распространяться - разлетаться как молния
• Japanese: あっという間に広まる - 火のように広がる
• Vietnamese: lan truyền như cháy rừng - lan nhanh như lửa
• Korean: 불길처럼 퍼지다 - 순식간에 퍼지다
• Turkish: yangın gibi yayılmak - hızla yayılmak
• Urdu: آگ کی طرح پھیلنا - جنگل کی آگ کی طرح پھیل جانا
• Indonesian: menyebar seperti api - menyebar dengan sangat cepat

Example Sentences

The news about the concert spread like wildfire.

basic

Rumors at school spread like wildfire.

basic

The funny video spread like wildfire on social media.

basic

Once the secret got out, it spread like wildfire among the employees.

natural

Bad news can spread like wildfire if people aren't careful.

natural

Her amazing story spread like wildfire and soon everyone was talking about it.

natural