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set the world on fire

  1. Perform an outstanding feat and win fame, as in An ambitious man, he longed to set the world on fire with his inventions. This hyperbolic expression uses set on fire in the sense of “arouse excitement in.” Also see set on fire, def. 2.



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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.

Sabitzer has not set the world on fire as a playmaker.

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"It's hard to measure what they consider to be a success with that one... it's still invite only and hasn't really set the world on fire," says Neil Long, the founder and editor of mobilegamer.biz, and who has been a video games journalist for more than 20 years.

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They will gladly help set the world on fire as long as they can bid on the contract to clear the debris.

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As we continue to set the world on fire, regardless of a certain administration's attempts to pretend it's not happening, scientists warn we are in unprecedented territory that could result in a whole bunch of death, especially for impoverished people in the global south and the ongoing "biological holocaust" happening to nature.

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In the following decade, the eugenic gospel would set the world on fire through one of Madison Grant’s most famous fans.

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