set the world on fire

Idioms

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.

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.

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

From Slate • Mar. 1, 2025

Mr Williams, who originally hails from Ecclesall Road, told the BBC: "I've made many shows but this one has set the world on fire."

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2023

Point being, the Huskies’ second-half offenses have not set the world on fire.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 16, 2021

Though “Dune” is based on a classic sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, adaptations of it have hardly set the world on fire.

From New York Times • Sep. 3, 2021

The horses soared up to the very top of the sky and then, plunging headlong down, they set the world on fire.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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