light a fire under

Idioms  

1. Also, build a fire under. Urge or goad to action, as in If we don't light a fire under that committee, they'll never do any work. This hyperbolic colloquialism uses light in the sense of “ignite,” a usage dating from the mid-1100s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light a fire under

Jim Harbaugh, enough with the positive enthusiasm and light a fire under your troops.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

That phone call is designed to light a fire under you.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

Verona Frankish, chief executive of online estate agent Yopa, said the changes "will certainly light a fire under those buyers currently progressing through the transaction process, or considering a purchase this side of Christmas".

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2024

And while Tanev’s crash-and-bang ways should light a fire under the team whenever he’s out there, his teammates could stand to up their aggressiveness in all facets so he won’t have to do it alone.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 13, 2023

“Do you think the senator will be able to light a fire under them and get people in here to save us?”

From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau

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