What does “There is no smoke without fire.” mean?
"There is no smoke without fire" means that there is usually some truth in rumors or accusations, or that there is usually a sign of something happening before the actual event occurs.
What context can I use the in?
Example
People are saying that the company is going bankrupt. There is no smoke without fire. We should investigate further.
Example
I heard some rumors about a new product launch. There is no smoke without fire. I think there might be some truth to it.
Example
The media reported on a possible scandal involving a politician. There is no smoke without fire. We should pay attention to these allegations
Is “There is no smoke without fire.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“There is no smoke without fire.” 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 smoke without fire.” effectively in context?
You can use "There is no smoke without fire" to suggest that there is usually some truth in rumors or accusations. It implies that there is usually a sign or indication of something happening before the actual event occurs. For example, if someone tells you about a scandal involving a celebrity, you might respond with 'Well, you know what they say, "there is no smoke without fire".'
- 1Gossip
A friend tells you about a rumor they heard about a coworker. You respond with 'Hmm, interesting. You know what they say, there is no smoke without fire.'
- 2News
You read an article about a politician being investigated for corruption. You discuss it with a friend and say, 'It's concerning. There is no smoke without fire, so we should keep an eye on this story.'
- 3Personal Relationships
A friend tells you about their suspicions regarding their partner's behavior. You advise them by saying, 'Trust your instincts. Remember, there is no smoke without fire. It's worth looking into.'
Similar phrases to “There is no smoke without fire.”:
Similar to 'There is no smoke without fire', it suggests that if there are signs or indications of something happening, there is likely some truth to it.
Example
People are talking about the CEO's sudden resignation. Where there's smoke, there's fire. There must be a reason behind it.
Don't believe everything you hear
A cautionary phrase advising against blindly accepting rumors or gossip without evidence.
Example
I heard a rumor that our department is getting downsized. Don't believe everything you hear. Let's wait for official confirmation.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “There is no smoke without fire.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "There is no smoke without fire" is unknown.
Is “There is no smoke without fire.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "There is no smoke without fire" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. It is often used to express the idea that rumors or accusations usually have some basis in truth.
What tone does “There is no smoke without fire.” have?
"There is no smoke without fire" conveys a tone of caution and skepticism. It suggests that one should not dismiss rumors or accusations without considering the possibility that there may be some truth to them.
Can “There is no smoke without fire.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "There is no smoke without fire" is relatively formal and may not be commonly used in very casual conversations. It is more likely to be used in professional settings or when discussing serious matters.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I heard some rumors about the company's financial troubles. You know what they say, "there is no smoke without fire".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Well, "there is no smoke without fire".' to imply agreement with a rumor or suspicion.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- where there's smoke, there's fire
- don't believe everything you hear
- truth lies somewhere in between
- rumors have some basis
- accusations often hold truth
Antonyms
- innocent until proven guilty
- no smoke, no fire
- false alarm
- baseless rumors
- unfounded accusations
