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light a fire under

To start sooner or move faster.

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.
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“

Let me see if I can light a fire under the waiter to get our order sooner.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Translation

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accendere un fuoco sotto

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to light a fire under

in the light oflight on one's feetirons in the fireLight at the End of the Tunnellast burst of firelight in the loaferslight at the end of the tunnellight paintinglight on one's feetlight as a featherKeep Something under Your Hatkeep underknock underliar liar pants on fire

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    "light a fire under." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/light-a-fire-under_5084>.

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