PhrasesHub

There's no smoke without fire

    Definitions

      • suggesting that a rumor or suspicion may have some truth to it
        To imply that where there is a rumor or suspicion, there must be some basis for it, even if it is not immediately apparent or proven.

      • emphasizing the inevitability or likelihood of a situation or outcome
        To emphasize that something is very likely to happen or be true, based on the presence of certain indications or evidence.

    Examples of There's no smoke without fire

    • "I've heard some rumors about John's involvement in the scandal, and since there's no smoke without fire, I'm starting to believe that there's some truth to it."

      This idiom means that if there's evidence or signs of something, it's likely that there's a deeper or more serious issue underlying it. In this example, the speaker is saying that since they've heard rumors about John's involvement in a scandal, they believe that there might be more to it than just rumors.2. Pull out all the stops

    • "The company is pulling out all the stops to win this contract. They've hired a team of experts and are offering us a special deal."

      This idiom means to do everything possible or to spare no effort in order to achieve a goal. In this example, the company is going above and beyond to try to win the contract by hiring a team of experts and offering a special deal.3. Piece of cake

    • "The test was a piece of cake. I studied hard and knew all the answers."

      This idiom means that something is very easy or straightforward. In this example, the speaker is saying that the test was easy for them because they studied hard and knew all the answers.4. Barking up the wrong tree

    • "I thought that my boss was upset with me, but it turns out I was barking up the wrong tree. He was actually happy with my work."

      This idiom means to pursue the wrong course of action or to focus on the wrong thing. In this example, the speaker thought that their boss was upset with them, but they were wrong - they were pursuing the wrong course of action by assuming that their boss was upset.5. Break a leg

    • "Good luck with your audition! Break a leg!"

      This idiom is a figure of speech that means "good luck" in the context of a performance or competition. It's believed to have originated from the superstition that wishing someone "good luck" might jinx them, so instead people say "break a leg" as a way to wish them luck without jinxing them.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "there's no smoke without fire" is often used in two different contexts. The first meaning implies that where there is a rumor or suspicion, there must be some truth to it. This usage suggests that even though the truth may not be immediately apparent or proven, there must be some basis for the rumor or suspicion. The second meaning emphasizes the inevitability or likelihood of a certain situation or outcome. In this context, the idiom suggests that the presence of certain indications or evidence makes it very likely for something to happen or be true.

    Origin of "There's no smoke without fire"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who stated, "The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold." This idea was later translated into the Latin proverb "Quod ali cibus est aliis fuat acre venenum," which translates to "What is food for one may be poison to others." This proverb was eventually translated into English and evolved into the modern-day idiom "there's no smoke without fire."

    The metaphorical meaning of the idiom became popular in the 16th and 17th centuries when people believed that where there was smoke, there must be a fire. This idea was also used in witch hunts, where people believed that if someone was accused of being a witch, there must be some truth to it. Over time, the idiom became a popular saying to imply that where there is a rumor or suspicion, there must be some truth to it.

    In conclusion, the idiom "there's no smoke without fire" has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy and has evolved over time to become a popular saying in English. Its origin lies in the belief that where there is smoke, there must be a fire, and it is often used to suggest that a rumor or suspicion may have some truth to it.