catch fire
The phrase "catch fire" can be used both literally to describe something igniting and figuratively to describe sudden enthusiasm or popularity.
Definition
B1General
(literal)To ignite and start burning.
Example
- The dry grass can easily catch fire during a heatwave.
- Be careful with candles; they might catch fire if left unattended.
B2Social
(figurative)To become very popular or successful quickly.
Example
- The new song caught fire and topped the charts within days.
- Her innovative idea quickly caught fire and was adopted by many companies.
B2Emotional
(figurative)To become inspired or passionate about something.
Example
- His speech caught fire, igniting a wave of enthusiasm among the audience.
- Once she caught fire for the project, there was no stopping her.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "catch fire":
take fireset on firecatch ongo up in flameson fireflame upset alightwalking fireopen firefire upflare upback firedraw fireburn upsparks flyfire outblaze upburn incold fireescape fireburn downspark upreturn firedie in a firebin firego up in smokeflame outfalse firelight upadd fuel to the firescorch upfight firestrial by firefired upblue firefire offblaze downcatch the sunburn awayput out a fireheat upline of firefeel the burnstrike a lightlit upstatic fireburn outhang fireblow uptake flightboil over