set alight

The phrase "set alight" can describe both the act of igniting a fire and the arousal of strong emotions or passions.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Voice:
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(common)To cause something to start burning.

Example

  • The protesters set the building alight during the demonstration.
  • The campfire was set alight with a single match.

C1Figurative

(figurative)To provoke intense emotions or excitement in someone.

Example

  • Her speech set the crowd alight with enthusiasm.
  • The new policy set alight a wave of controversy.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "set alight":

set on firecatch fireset onlit uptake firelight upon fireset uponfire upstrike a lightset offblaze upset aboutflame upgo up in flamesset toopen firespark upwalking firedraw fire