"a sudden burst," 1827 of an argument; 1858 of light, from verbal phrase; see flare (v.) + up (adv.). It seems to have had some vogue as a street expression in London in the 1830s.
Flare up! flare up! is all the cry, in every square and street --
No other sound salutes your ear, whoe'er you chance to meet
Where'er you ride, or walk, or sit, or breakfast, dine, or sup,
They welcome you or quiz you with "Flare up, my boy! flare up!"
[Fraser's Magazine," April 1834]
双语例句
1. I saw the sudden flare of a flashlight in the darkness.
我看到手电筒在黑暗中突然闪出的亮光.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. The flare overshot its target and set light to a hotel.
