flashing point: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Formal, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “flashing point” mean?
The temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite in air when exposed to a flame.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite in air when exposed to a flame.
A situation or issue that becomes so tense or volatile that it is likely to erupt into conflict or violence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling is consistent. The figurative use is more common in American political and social commentary.
Connotations
Both varieties share the same core and figurative meanings.
Frequency
The technical term is used with equal frequency. The figurative sense appears more frequently in American media.
Grammar
How to Use “flashing point” in a Sentence
The debate reached its flashing point.Tensions are approaching a flashing point.The issue became a flashing point for protest.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flashing point” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The mixture will flash at its designated point.
- The protests flashed into violence at a specific point.
American English
- The liquid flashes at a very low temperature.
- The debate flashed over at that critical point.
adjective
British English
- The flashing-point temperature was carefully recorded.
- It was a flashing-point issue for the community.
American English
- The flashing-point data is crucial for safety.
- They avoided the flashing-point topic entirely.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a critical juncture in negotiations or market volatility.
Academic
Used in chemistry/physics texts and in social sciences to describe societal tensions.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used in news discussions about conflicts.
Technical
A standard term in chemistry, fire safety, and petroleum engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flashing point”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flashing point”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flashing point”
- Confusing it with 'flashpoint' (one word, more common for figurative use).
- Using it to mean 'highlight' or 'focus point'.
- Misspelling as 'flashingpoint'.
- Using it for non-volatile situations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In technical contexts (chemistry), 'flashing point' is standard. For figurative use, 'flashpoint' (one word) is far more common, though 'flashing point' is understood.
No, it carries inherent connotations of danger, volatility, and potential ignition, whether literal or metaphorical.
The flashing point is the temperature at which vapour briefly ignites. The fire point is a higher temperature at which the vapour sustains combustion.
It is a low-frequency, specialised term (C1 level). Learners in scientific fields or advanced political discourse will encounter it.
The temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite in air when exposed to a flame.
Flashing point is usually technical, formal, figurative in register.
Flashing point: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflæʃ.ɪŋ ˌpɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflæʃ.ɪŋ ˌpɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The situation is at a flashing point.”
- “They pushed tensions to a flashing point.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a flash of light or flame—the point at which something 'flashes' into fire or conflict.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT/ANGER IS HEAT, A CRISIS IS A COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, what does 'flashing point' most accurately describe?