catch fire

The phrase "catch fire" can be used both literally to describe something igniting and figuratively to describe sudden enthusiasm or popularity.

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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