The Fat is in the Fire
Definition: It’s too late for a rescue; a crisis is imminent. This expression already appeared in John Heywood’s proverb collection of 1546 in its present form and has continued to be used with great regularity to the present day. A long-lived cliché that is by no means obsolete, it refers to how a fire flares up when grease is spilled into it, an idea soon transferred to the more general sense that damage has been done.
Synonyms
- The damage is done
- There’s no turning back
- The horse has bolted
- It’s all over but the shouting
Antonyms
- Averted a crisis
- Dodged a bullet
- Crisis averted
- Managed to salvage the situation
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “When the fat is in the fire, might as well cook the bacon!” 🥓
- “If the fat’s in the fire, try marshmallows. They’re a lot sweeter.” 😋
Related Proverbs and Idioms
- “The die is cast” - The moment of decision has passed, referring to a point of no return.
- “Burning bridges” - Deliberately cutting off the possibility of going back.
- “Water under the bridge” - It’s all in the past, used more for reconciliation rather than crisis.
Literary and Cultural References
- Books: Macbeth by William Shakespeare - “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.”
- Movies: Titanic (1997) - A story where multiple characters realize too late that they’re doomed.
- Songs: “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen - Celebrating handling one situation only to face another.
- Poetry: “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost - Contemplating destructive potential and inevitability.
Inspirational Thought-provoking Farewell
Even as the fat hits the fire, remember that every crisis carries within it the seeds of opportunity. The fire may flare up, but your resilience burns brighter. 🌟
### Which phrase indicates an imminent crisis?
- [x] The fat is in the fire
- [ ] The fat and milkshake party
- [ ] Cats making lasagna
- [ ] Dancing with sparklers
> **Explanation:** "The fat is in the fire" is an actual idiom indicating it's too late to prevent trouble, while the others are just whimsical nonsense.
### What phrase is the opposite of 'the fat is in the fire'?
- [ ] The culinary chaos
- [ ] Butterflies in the toaster
- [ ] Lit a sparkler on deli meats
- [x] Crisis averted
> **Explanation:** "Crisis averted" means avoiding or resolving a crisis, making it an antonym of "the fat is in the fire".
### True or False: 'Burning bridges' has a similar connotation to 'the fat is in the fire'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Both idioms suggest a situation where there’s no going back, although "burning bridges" often implies it’s done deliberately, while "the fat is in the fire" can imply unintentional damage.
### True or False: 'The fat is in the fire' originated from the 20th century.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "The fat is in the fire" actually dates back to at least John Heywood’s proverb collection in 1546.
### What literary work features quotations about points of no return?
- [ ] The Rainbow Sprinkles Guide
- [x] Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- [ ] Dr. Seuss's Wacky World
- [ ] The Diary of a Wacky Wombat
> **Explanation:** Normal phrases like "The die is cast" or lines from Shakespeare's "Macbeth" frequently explore themes of inevitable unfolding consequences.
