light a fire under

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent openly admitted, these threats are designed to "light a fire" under such stalled talks.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

She’s always going to her for advice, and Hamby always seems to know when to nurture and when to light a fire under Burrell.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2025

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

They’re out there to light a fire under the base,” he said.

From Washington Times • Sep. 30, 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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023