smoke
visible gas from fire
The grey, black, or white gas you see when something is on fire.
[something] gives off smoke
- Thick smoke poured out of the burning building.
- A cloud of black smoke rose into the sky.
- The campfire sent smoke drifting through the trees.
- Smoke came from the fire.
- I saw black smoke in the sky.
- The room was full of smoke.
breathe tobacco fumes
To breathe in and out the gas from burning a cigarette, pipe, or similar thing.
to smoke [a cigarette/cigar/pipe]
- He used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day.
- They smoked cigars to celebrate the victory.
- You can't smoke in this restaurant.
- I don't smoke.
- She smokes every day.
- He smoked a cigar.
act of smoking
A time when someone smokes a cigarette, cigar, or similar thing.
to have a smoke
- Let's go outside for a smoke.
- He stepped out for a quick smoke during the break.
- She invited him for a smoke after work.
- I went outside for a smoke.
- He had a smoke with his friend.
- They took a smoke break.
emit visible gas from fire
To give off smoke while burning slowly without fire.
[something] smokes
- The pan began to smoke on the stove.
- The old car's exhaust was smoking heavily.
- His cigarette smoked in the ashtray.
- The pot is smoking.
- The car is smoking.
- The food started to smoke.
- Base: smoke
- Plural: smoke, smokes
- Base: smoke
- 3rd Person Singular: smokes
- Present Participle: smoking
- Past: smoked
go up in smoke
1fail or disappear completely
To end suddenly in failure or be destroyed so that nothing is left.
- All our plans went up in smoke when the funding was cut.
- The deal went up in smoke after the argument.
smoke out
1force out by pressure or smoke
To make someone leave a hiding place by using smoke or other strong methods.
- The police smoked out the suspect from the attic.
- They tried to smoke out the animals from their holes.
where there's smoke there's fire
1rumors may have truth behind them
If people are talking about something bad, there is probably some truth to it.
- I don't know if the rumors are true, but where there's smoke there's fire.
- People are saying he's leaving; where there's smoke there's fire.
smoking gun
1clear evidence of guilt or crime
Strong proof that someone has done something bad or illegal.
- The email was the smoking gun that proved his involvement.
- The email was the smoking gun that proved the CEO knew about the fraud.
- Investigators found no smoking gun linking her to the crime.
- Investigators are still searching for a smoking gun in the case.
smoking gun
1clear proof of wrongdoing
A fact or object that clearly proves something.
- The emails were the smoking gun in the investigation.
- Police searched the apartment but found no smoking gun.
- For critics, the leaked recording was a smoking gun.
smoke like a chimney
1smoke tobacco very often
To smoke cigarettes or cigars all the time.
- Ever since he lost his job, he’s been smoking like a chimney.
- My uncle smokes like a chimney—he goes through two packs a day.
- He used to smoke like a chimney before he finally quit last year.
- My uncle used to smoke like a chimney before he quit.
- She used to smoke like a chimney before she quit last year.
- My grandfather smoked like a chimney for decades and now has serious lung problems.
- She only drinks socially, but her boyfriend smokes like a chimney.