The expression 'to fight fire with fire' means to respond to aggressive tactics with similar aggressive tactics.
The idiom 'to fight fire with fire' means to use the same aggressive or unpleasant methods against someone as they are using against you.
| Idiom | to fight fire with fire |
|---|---|
| Definition | to use risky methods to defeat or oppose someone or something |
| Examples | - If they are going to increase our working hours, then we should go on strike. We have to fight fire with fire. - Our only hope is to fight fire with fire, but it will be dangerous. - Phil Vickery insists England need to fight fire with fire when they clash with Wales in their World Cup quarter-final showdown tomorrow. - Sure, I know it’s easy to want to fight fire with fire and adopt their tactics of fear and smear. |
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