Example
“I don't trust every detail of the rumor, but they say there's no smoke without fire.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
put out fires
CEFR B1to deal with urgent problems instead of doing planned work
fight fire with fire
CEFR B2to counter an opponent using the same methods they use
go up in smoke
CEFR B2be completely ruined or fail, leaving nothing of the original plan
play with fire
CEFR B2to take a serious risk that is likely to bring harmful consequences
smoke test
CEFR B2a quick, shallow test that checks whether a system's most basic functions work at all
cry wolf
CEFR B1to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.