What does “There is no fire without smoke.” mean?
"There is no fire without smoke" means that there is usually a sign of something happening before the actual event occurs, and there is usually some truth in rumors or accusations.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I heard some rumors about that celebrity's scandal. You know what they say, there is no fire without smoke. There might be some truth to it.
Example
Before the company announced the layoffs, there were already some signs of financial trouble. It's true what they say, there is no fire without smoke.
Example
People were skeptical about the new product, but then some leaked photos appeared online. It seems like there is no fire without smoke after all
Is “There is no fire without smoke.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“There is no fire without smoke.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “There is no fire without smoke.” effectively in context?
You can use "There is no fire without smoke" to suggest that there is usually a sign or indication of something happening before the actual event occurs. It implies that rumors or accusations often have some truth to them. For example, if someone is spreading rumors about a scandal involving a celebrity, you might say, 'You know what they say, there is no fire without smoke. There might be some truth to it.'
- 1Gossip
I heard some rumors about that celebrity's scandal. You know what they say, there is no fire without smoke. There might be some truth to it.
- 2Business
Before the company announced the layoffs, there were already some signs of financial trouble. It's true what they say, there is no fire without smoke.
- 3Product Launch
People were skeptical about the new product, but then some leaked photos appeared online. It seems like there is no fire without smoke after all.
Similar phrases to “There is no fire without smoke.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “There is no fire without smoke.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "There is no fire without smoke" is unknown.
Is “There is no fire without smoke.” common in everyday conversation?
"There is no fire without smoke" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. It is often used to emphasize the idea that rumors or accusations usually have some basis in truth.
What tone does “There is no fire without smoke.” have?
"There is no fire without smoke" conveys a tone of caution and skepticism. It suggests that one should not dismiss rumors or accusations outright, as there is often some truth behind them.
Can “There is no fire without smoke.” be used in informal and formal settings?
"There is no fire without smoke" is a relatively formal proverb. It is commonly used in both informal and formal settings, such as conversations with friends, family, colleagues, or even in professional contexts.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Before making any conclusions, remember that there is no fire without smoke.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'There is no fire without smoke!' to imply that there might be some truth to a rumor or accusation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- where there's smoke, there's fire
- no smoke without fire
- where there's a rumor, there's some truth
- rumors don't come out of thin air
- there's always a grain of truth in rumors
Antonyms
- don't believe everything you hear
- take rumors with a grain of salt
- not everything you hear is true
- rumors can be baseless
- rumors are often exaggerated