English Idioms from A-Z

Light A Fire Under Someone

The idiom "light a fire under someone" means to motivate or inspire someone to take action quickly. It is often used when someone is being lazy or procrastinating and needs a push to get things done.

For example, if your friend has been putting off studying for an important exam, you might say, "I think you need someone to light a fire under you so you can start studying."

The phrase suggests that the person needs a sense of urgency or pressure to get moving. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts, such as in the workplace when a boss wants to motivate an employee to complete a task quickly.

In short, "light a fire under someone" means to motivate or inspire someone to take action quickly, especially when they are being lazy or procrastinating.


The usage of the idiom 'Light A Fire Under Someone' in a sentence

• The boss will light a fire under the staff if they don't start meeting their targets.

• The motivational speaker lit a fire under the audience, inspiring them to reach their full potential.

• I need to light a fire under myself if I want to finish this project on time.

• I had to light a fire under my little brother so he would finish his homework.

• We need to light a fire under the government to take action on climate change.

• If you want to get the team moving, you need to light a fire under them.

• The motivational speaker lit a fire under the audience, inspiring them to take action and pursue their dreams.

• The boss had to light a fire under his employees to complete the project on time.

• The coach lit a fire under the team during halftime, and they came back to win the game.

• The CEO lit a fire under the marketing department to increase sales and revenue.

• My parents always lit a fire under me to study hard and get good grades in school.

• Can you light a fire under your brother so that he can come with us to the beach?

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