spitting fire

Verb

spit fire (third-person singular simple present spits fire, present participle spitting fire, simple past and past participle spat fire or spit fire)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive, slang) To be extremely angry.
   • If somebody cuts you off on the highway, don't spit fire—forget about it and arrive at your intended destination in one piece and as relaxed as possible.2008, Nicholas J. Nigro, No Job? No Prob!, →ISBN
2. (idiomatic, intransitive, slang) Of the eyes, to flash and reveal strong emotion.
   • Her pretty gray-blue eyes no longer spit fire.2010, Christina Crooks, L.A. Caveman (battle of the sexes, office romance)
3. (idiomatic, intransitive, slang) To speak with vehemence.
   • It would do no good to spit fire at him. He'd only laugh, and then he'd get his own way anyway.2000, B. J. Lawry, Desert Heat, →ISBN, page 87
4. (idiomatic, intransitive, slang) To perform with skill and energy, especially when reciting poetry or rapping.
   • Her motive is simple — “To spit fire into microphones that she might inspire a generation; to rekindle revolution through the power of revelation."2009, Pamela Best, Of Love, →ISBN
5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see spit, fire.

See all 6 meanings of spit fire