What does "Light a fire under" mean?

Here is a short explanation of what the phrase "Light a fire under" means.

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What does "Light a fire under" mean?

To motivate or encourage someone to act more quickly or with greater urgency.

When do you use "Light a fire under"?

This phrase is appropriate in situations where you want to encourage someone to take immediate action or to increase their productivity, especially in a work or team setting.

"Light a fire under" Usage Examples

  1. We need to light a fire under the team if we want to meet the project deadline.
  1. The manager decided to light a fire under the sales department to boost their quarterly numbers.
  1. Sometimes, you just need to light a fire under yourself to achieve your goals.
  1. She really lit a fire under her students by introducing a competitive element to the project.
  1. If we don't light a fire under this initiative, it may never get off the ground.

"Light a fire under" Explained

The phrase 'light a fire under' likely originates from the literal act of igniting a fire to create heat or energy. In a metaphorical sense, it suggests instilling a sense of urgency or motivation in someone to prompt them into action, much like how a fire provides the energy needed to drive processes forward.

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