catch fire

1. Be ignited, as in This wood is dry enough to catch fire . [c. 1600] Also see set on fire .

2. Become inflamed with enthusiasm or passion, as in His ideas caught fire all over the country . [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

The latter elements suggest the hearth was intentionally sealed with a mixture of guano and sand, which can protect plant materials within the hearth from catching fire—conditions needed to create tar.

From Science Magazine

I had put something out in the world, for $40, that absolutely caught fire.

From Salon

In the movie’s grand finale, Tornado 6 destroys a factory, catches fire and tears up a movie theater.

From Los Angeles Times

For them to catch fire, he says “it would take some spectacular lancing of the actual cells themselves, which would mean going through a very strong external structure”.

From BBC

She thought the house was going to catch fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• burn
• flare up
• inflame
• kindle