catch fire

phrase

1

: to become ignited

2

: to become fired with enthusiasm

3

: to increase greatly in scope, popularity, interest, or effectiveness

The idea failed to catch fire.

Examples of catch fire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The deaths recall a deportation sweep in 1948, when a plane carrying 28 workers back to Mexico, with a crew of four, caught fire and crashed near Coalinga. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Think shows like Schitt’s Creek and Kim’s Convenience, which both caught fire worldwide without giving up their distinctively Canadian sensibilities. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

The National Transportation Safety Board found that the left engine detached from the plane and caught fire, the USA TODAY Network previously reported. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

The first fatality occurred in late June when an e-bike caught fire in a Queens apartment, killing a 48-year-old man. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for catch fire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar