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light a fire under. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
light a fire under, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
light a fire under in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
light a fire under you have here. The definition of the word
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light a fire under, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Referring to a time when, if chimney sweeps were afraid to ascend a chimney, the fire would be lit under them in order to motivate them to climb to the top.
Pronunciation
Verb
light a fire under (third-person singular simple present lights a fire under, present participle lighting a fire under, simple past and past participle lit a fire under)
- (idiomatic, transitive) To motivate or encourage (someone) to start sooner or move faster.
- Let me see if I can light a fire under the waiter to get our order sooner.