--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Out of the frying pan, into the fire." description: "\"Out of the frying pan, into the fire.\" — Tertullian" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png" --- # Out of the frying pan, into the fire. ![“Out of the frying pan, into the fire.” quote by Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png) > “Out of the frying pan, into the fire.” [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a worsening situation, moving from a bad to a worse predicament. **In simple terms:** From a bad situation to an even worse one. Key Takeaway Beware of escalating problems. Themes danger escalation adversity Mood cautionary serious Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - financial crises - personal conflicts - legal troubles - health emergencies Key Concepts risk consequence Questions to Reflect On - What can you do to break the cycle? - How do you recognize when a situation is worsening? A Different Perspective Sometimes the next step is necessary for resolution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Frying pans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frying-pans/) ## Related quotes > [The frying pan you should give to your enemy. Food should not be prepared in fat. Our bodies are adapted to a stone age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-parsons-burkitt/the-frying-pan-you-should-give-to-your-enemy-food-should-not-be/) [Denis Parsons Burkitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-parsons-burkitt/) > [Violence stinks no matter which side of it you're on. But now and then there's nothing left to do but hit the other person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/violence-stinks-no-matter-which-side-of-it-you-re-on-but-now-and-then/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [FRYING-PAN, n. One part of the penal apparatus employed in that punitive institution, a woman's kitchen. The frying-pan was invented by Calvin, and by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/frying-pan-n-one-part-of-the-penal-apparatus-employed-in-that/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I don't often get a chance to have a frying pan in the show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-emmanuel/i-don-t-often-get-a-chance-to-have-a-frying-pan-in-the-show/) [Tommy Emmanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-emmanuel/) > [out of the frying pan and into the fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-the-fire/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let me leap out of the frying-pan into the fire; or, out of God's blessing into the warm sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/let-me-leap-out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-or-out-of-god-s/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [The effort only shifted me from the frying-pan into the fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucian/the-effort-only-shifted-me-from-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/) [Lucian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucian/) > [No one owns life, but anyone who can pick up a frying pan owns death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/no-one-owns-life-but-anyone-who-can-pick-up-a-frying-pan-owns-death/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) > [Leap out of the frying pan into the fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/leap-out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [As mayor, I'm in the frying pan. I'm just sitting here on the griddle now, and I've got to really think, you know, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-a-williams/as-mayor-i-m-in-the-frying-pan-i-m-just-sitting-here-on-the-griddle/) Anthony A. Williams > [It’s lovely,” I said, taking an involuntary half step back. “Really, though. I don’t like to handle other people’s cookware.” “That’s the best you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-lovely-i-said-taking-an-involuntary-half-step-back-really-though/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Gadzooks! We've jumped out of the frying pan and into another frying pan!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-millionaire/gadzooks-we-ve-jumped-out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-another-frying/) [Tony Millionaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-millionaire/) > [“Gris. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-hellisen/gris-out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-the-fire/) [Cat Hellisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-hellisen/) > [“I felt like I’d been clonged on the head with a frying pan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-schulte/i-felt-like-i-d-been-clonged-on-the-head-with-a-frying-pan/) [Brigid Schulte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-schulte/) > [The other day Aks and I went up to your ranch for a day's fishing. I cannot remember any day when we have had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/the-other-day-aks-and-i-went-up-to-your-ranch-for-a-day-s-fishing-i/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) ## More by Tertullian > [The soul whose bosom lust did never touch Is God's fair bride; and maiden's souls are such.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-soul-whose-bosom-lust-did-never-touch-is-god-s-fair-bride-and/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [You can't undo anything you've already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/you-can-t-undo-anything-you-ve-already-done-but-you-can-face-up-to-it/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Indeed it is better to postpone, lest either we complete too little by hurrying, or wander too long in completing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/indeed-it-is-better-to-postpone-lest-either-we-complete-too-little-by/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [A man becomes a Christian, he is not born one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/a-man-becomes-a-christian-he-is-not-born-one/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The Word, then, the Christ, is the cause both of our ancient beginning, for lie was in God, and of our well-being. And now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-word-then-the-christ-is-the-cause-both-of-our-ancient-beginning/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [But now inquiry is being made concerning these issues. First, can any believer enlist in the military? Second, can any soldier, even those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/but-now-inquiry-is-being-made-concerning-these-issues-first-can-any/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Let women paint their eyes with tints of chastity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/let-women-paint-their-eyes-with-tints-of-chastity/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-blood-of-the-martyrs-is-the-seed-of-the-church/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [It is certainly no part of religion to compel religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/it-is-certainly-no-part-of-religion-to-compel-religion/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Now then, you dogs, whom the apostle puts outside and who yelp at the God of truth, let us come to your various questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/now-then-you-dogs-whom-the-apostle-puts-outside-and-who-yelp-at-the/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Hope is patience with the lamp lit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/hope-is-patience-with-the-lamp-lit/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [What has Athens to do with Jerusalem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/what-has-athens-to-do-with-jerusalem/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [God the Father's a deep root; the Son's the shoot that breaks into the world; the Spirit spreads the beauty & fragrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/god-the-father-s-a-deep-root-the-son-s-the-shoot-that-breaks-into-the/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [The nature of rumor is known to all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/the-nature-of-rumor-is-known-to-all/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [Prevention of birth is premature murder, and it makes no difference whether it is a life already born that one snatches away or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/prevention-of-birth-is-premature-murder-and-it-makes-no-difference/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) [Explore all 130 Tertullian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) ## More Fire quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“I locked the door and turned on the water to fill the tub. I made it so hot that I had to get in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-crandall/i-locked-the-door-and-turned-on-the-water-to-fill-the-tub-i-made-it/) [Susan Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-crandall/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [Public infrastructure around the world is facing unprecedented stress, with hurricanes, cyclones, floods and forest fires all increasing in frequency and intensity. It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [“Nothing is ever lost nor can be lost; the body aged, sluggish,cold… the embers left from earlier fires shall dully flame again”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/nothing-is-ever-lost-nor-can-be-lost-the-body-aged-sluggish-cold-the/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [Tonight I feel like a prisoner on fire, waiting desperately... denied, sentenced forever more. Only your love can set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/tonight-i-feel-like-a-prisoner-on-fire-waiting-desperately-denied/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [There are different kinds of fire; there is false fire. No one knows this better than we do, but we are not such fools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-booth/there-are-different-kinds-of-fire-there-is-false-fire-no-one-knows/) [William Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-booth/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [War is like a fire. One man may start it, but it will spread all over. It is not about one thing in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-like-a-fire-one-man-may-start-it-but-it-will-spread-all-over/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Carrying that lumber the forty meters from the forest had left his knuckles blistered, his underarms sopping, but now a few hours of flames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-marra/carrying-that-lumber-the-forty-meters-from-the-forest-had-left-his/) [Anthony Marra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-marra/) > [May nothing entice me till I happily make my way to Jesus Christ! Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-antioch/may-nothing-entice-me-till-i-happily-make-my-way-to-jesus-christ-fire/) [Ignatius of Antioch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-antioch/) > [AHHHHHH! Goyle has set the bloody place on fire! -Ron Weasley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ahhhhhh-goyle-has-set-the-bloody-place-on-fire-ron-weasley/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 8,652 Fire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Out of the frying pan, into the fire.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tertullian" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/tertullian-3469_fire_out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire-9060_906014.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Out of the frying pan, into the fire.” — Tertullian", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tertullian", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Out of the frying pan, into...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```