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

Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can catch fire and turn them off overnight. — Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Five people were killed when the Boeing 767, operated by all-cargo carrier 21Air, overran the runway at Miami International Airport on September 6, striking multiple vehicles, catching fire and sending a thick black plume of smoke into the air. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

The driver escaped from the vehicle with help from two other people before the car caught fire. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Mookie Betts caught fire, Kyle Tucker came alive, Will Smith found his groove after missing nearly three months because of a neck injury. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 25 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