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
But instead of letting this light a fire under her, Mistress continued to spiral this week, landing back in the bottom two after a subpar talent show performance and so-so runway look.
—
Andy Swift, TVLine, 11 July 2025
Inter then stunned the hosts with a second goal, serving to light a fire under Yamal.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Expect direct communication and a whole lot of mental energy as Mercury enters Aries on March 3
Comments
Mercury in Aries is about to light a fire under your thoughts — at least for now!
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Loading your audio article SAN FRANCISCO — The new NBA All-Star weekend format gives the winning Rising Stars team a new responsibility: the opportunity to light a fire under an All-Star club.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light a fire under (someone)
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Andy Swift, TVLine, 11 July 2025
Inter then stunned the hosts with a second goal, serving to light a fire under Yamal.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Expect direct communication and a whole lot of mental energy as Mercury enters Aries on March 3
Comments
Mercury in Aries is about to light a fire under your thoughts — at least for now!
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Loading your audio article SAN FRANCISCO — The new NBA All-Star weekend format gives the winning Rising Stars team a new responsibility: the opportunity to light a fire under an All-Star club.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light a fire under (someone)
Cite this Entry
“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 15 Jul. 2025.
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