English Lexicon

Light-a-Fire-Under-Someone

/laɪt ə faɪər ˈʌndər ˈsʌmˌwʌn/
idiomatic expressionCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As idiomatic expression
  1. 1

    To motivate or encourage someone to take action or to work harder.

    "The manager decided to light a fire under the team to meet the project deadline."
  2. 2

    To instill a sense of urgency in someone.

    "After weeks of procrastination, she finally lit a fire under her friend to start studying for the exam."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The phrase 'light a fire under someone' originates from the metaphorical use of fire as a motivator, suggesting urgency and action. It likely evolved in American English during the mid-20th century, reflecting a cultural emphasis on productivity and motivation in various contexts, including business and personal development.

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10 Global Lexicons: How "Light-a-Fire-Under-Someone" is said worldwide

Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration

🇫🇷French → English

Motiver quelqu'un

Transliteration: motive kehlkœ̃

"Le manager a décidé de motiver l'équipe pour respecter le délai."

🇩🇪German → English

Jemanden motivieren

Transliteration: Yemanden motiviren

"Der Manager beschloss, das Team zu motivieren, um die Frist einzuhalten."

🇮🇹Italian → English

Motivare qualcuno

Transliteration: motivaˈre kwalˈkuno

"Il manager ha deciso di motivare il team per rispettare la scadenza."

🇪🇸Spanish → English

Motivar a alguien

Transliteration: motivar a alguien

"El gerente decidió motivar al equipo para cumplir con la fecha límite."

🇵🇹Portuguese → English

Motivar alguém

Transliteration: motivar alɡeɐ̃

"O gerente decidiu motivar a equipe para cumprir o prazo."

🇮🇳Hindi → English

किसी को प्रेरित करना

Transliteration: Kisi ko prerit karna

"मैनेजर ने टीम को समय सीमा के लिए प्रेरित करने का निर्णय लिया।"

🇨🇳Chinese → English

激励某人

Transliteration: jīlì mǒurén

"经理决定激励团队以满足项目截止日期。"

🇰🇷Korean → English

누군가를 동기 부여하다

Transliteration: nugungareul donggi buyeohada

"매니저는 팀이 프로젝트 마감일을 맞추도록 동기를 부여하기로 결정했습니다."

🇯🇵Japanese → English

誰かを励ます

Transliteration: dareka o hagemasu

"マネージャーはチームにプロジェクトの締切を守らせるために励ますことに決めました。"

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