light a fire under (someone)

idiom

US, informal

: to cause (someone) to move or work more quickly and effectively

I've never seen him work so hard. Someone must have lit a fire under him.

Examples of light a fire under (someone) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Initially, a Trump election could provide a short-term boost to stock prices in the immediate aftermath, as a corporate tax cut could once again light a fire under corporate share buybacks. —

Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 Conferences provide great potential for business professionals to light a fire under their careers. —

John Hall, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 That’s what happened Friday night as a nudge from Reeve helped light a fire under Collier during a key stretch of the second quarter as Minnesota overcame a slow start to down the Los Angeles Sparks 81-76 at Target Center. —

Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 14 June 2024 Pitino drew criticism for his post-game tirade but has since claimed it was measured, intended to light a fire under his players. —

Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for light a fire under (someone)

Dictionary Entries Near light a fire under (someone)

light adaptation

light a fire under (someone)

light air

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Light a fire under (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20a%20fire%20under%20%28someone%29. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation