light a fire under: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘light a fire under’ mean?
The idiom "light a fire under" means to motivate or inspire someone to take action or work quickly. It conveys the idea of applying pressure or urgency to someone in order to increase their productivity or efficiency.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "turn up the heat" means to increase pressure or intensity, usually in a competitive or challenging situation.
The idiom "see the light of day" means to be revealed or brought to attention after being hidden or kept secret for a period of time.
The idiom "rev up" means to increase the intensity or speed of something, typically to prepare for action or to raise one's energy level. It is often used in contexts related to engines or motors, but can also be used metaphorically to describe increasing enthusiasm or excitement.
The idiom "quick-fire" means to do or say something very quickly without much hesitation or delay.
The idiom "quick-fire" is often used to describe something that is done quickly or rapidly. It can be traced back several hundred years.
The idiom "put to work" means to utilize or employ someone or something for a particular purpose or task.
Put out a fire means to extinguish a fire or resolve a problem or conflict. It can be used both literally and figuratively to refer to taking action to stop or resolve a problem or crisis.
The idiom "push it" means to try to make something happen or to encourage someone to take action. It can also refer to asking someone to go faster or work harder. The phrase is often used in a motivating or urging context.
The idiom "pull out of the fire" means to save or rescue someone or something from danger or a difficult situation.
The idiom "pull one's finger out" means to start taking action or making an effort after a period of inactivity or procrastination.
The idiom "pour gasoline on the fire" means to aggravate or worsen a situation by adding more conflict or controversy.
Unleashing the Blaze
The idiom "light up" is related to the phrase "light a fire under". Both idioms convey a sense of bringing energy and enthusiasm to a situation. When we "light up" something, we are illuminating it and bringing it to life. Similarly, when we "light a fire under" someone, we are inspiring or motivating them to take action and become more active.
The phrase "kindle-fire" is another idiom that can be connected to "light a fire under". To "kindle" means to start or ignite something, often used in the context of a fire. When we "light a fire under" someone, we are metaphorically kindling a fire within them, sparking their motivation and pushing them to move forward. This idiom reinforces the idea that the action we take has the power to ignite change and drive progress.
Another related idiom is "feed the fire". Just as we add fuel to a fire to keep it burning, when we "light a fire under" someone, we are providing them with the necessary motivation or encouragement to keep going. We are fueling their passion and pushing them to continue their efforts. This idiom emphasizes the importance of ongoing support and encouragement in order to maintain momentum and achieve success.
The idiom "flame up" is another expression that can be linked to "light a fire under". When something "flames up", it quickly becomes intense or dramatic. Similarly, when we "light a fire under" someone, we are trying to create a sense of urgency and intensity in their actions. We want them to become fully engaged and invested in what they are doing, bringing their full energy and focus to the task at hand.
Lastly, we have the idiom "light the blue touchpaper". The phrase "light a fire under" can be seen as a modern-day equivalent of this idiom. "Lighting the blue touchpaper" refers to the act of igniting a firework or explosive, which produces a sudden burst of energy and excitement. Similarly, when we "light a fire under" someone, we are aiming to create a burst of motivation and enthusiasm that propels them into action.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "light a fire under" can be used in a sentence:
- She needed someone to light a fire under her if she was going to finish her project on time.
- The coach threatened to light a fire under the team if they didn't start practicing harder.
- We need to light a fire under the marketing team to generate more leads for our company.
More "Motivation" idioms
