What does “Light a Fire Under Someone” mean?
"Light a Fire Under Someone" means to motivate or urge someone to act or work quickly.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I need to light a fire under my team to meet the deadline.
Example
The coach's halftime speech really lit a fire under the players.
Example
Her passionate speech lit a fire under the audience to take action
Is “Light a Fire Under Someone” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Light a Fire Under Someone” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Light a Fire Under Someone” effectively in context?
You can use "Light a Fire Under Someone" to express the need to motivate or urge someone to act or work quickly. It emphasizes the idea of creating a sense of urgency and energy. For example, if you want to encourage your team to meet a deadline, you might say, 'We need to light a fire under them and get this project done.'
- 1Work
I need to light a fire under my team to meet the deadline.
- 2Sports
The coach's halftime speech really lit a fire under the players.
- 3Activism
Her passionate speech lit a fire under the audience to take action.
Similar phrases to “Light a Fire Under Someone”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Light a Fire Under Someone” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Light a Fire Under Someone" is unknown.
Is “Light a Fire Under Someone” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Light a Fire Under Someone" is a common idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe the act of motivating or urging someone to act quickly or with more energy.
What tone does “Light a Fire Under Someone” have?
"Light a Fire Under Someone" conveys a tone of urgency and motivation. It's often used in situations where there is a need to inspire action and increase productivity.
Can “Light a Fire Under Someone” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Light a Fire Under Someone" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that conveys the idea of motivating others to act quickly. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as meetings, presentations, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'We need to light a fire under them and get this project done.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "light a fire under"!' to imply the need for urgency.
