More seriously, although thinning can sometimes help to limit a fire by removing some of the fuel the fire wants, it is not a process that is neat, cheap or necessarily effective.

ECONOMIST: The fires return

Gas Natural is half the size of Endesa and stretched its financial fire-power to the limit with last year's bid.

ECONOMIST: European utilities: Bidding and competing | The

Cohen and his firm, who have not been charged or accused of any wrongdoing and contend they have always acted appropriately, are trying to limit the damage from the legal fire that is blazing around them.

FORBES: For Hedge Fund Investors, The Real Crime Of The Year Is Lousy Performance, Not Insider Trading