lit a fire under me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lit a fire under me" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone has motivated or inspired you to take action or work harder. Example: "After my manager gave me that feedback, it really lit a fire under me to improve my performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Someone lit a fire under me.

The New Yorker

"That lit a fire under me," Famiglietti said.

The New York Times - Sports

Candace said: "He lit a fire under me.

The New York Times - Sports

They dragged me into an alley and lit a fire under me.

The New Yorker

His daring rescue lit a fire under me which has yet to be extinguished.

Huffington Post

It lit a fire under me, and I wanted to advocate for more women in STEM.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Maybe it will light a fire under me," Harrington said.

The New York Times

With me, he knows to light a fire under me, and his tone rises a little bit and he uses different verbal language".

The New York Times

Then I discovered Aaliyah and boy, did she light a fire under me.

Vice

That event lit a fire under Congress, which is bad.

The New York Times

It's also lit a fire under newspaper editorial boards.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This idiom is best suited for informal or semi-formal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives like "motivated" or "inspired".

Common error

Avoid using "lit a fire under me" when the situation calls for a more gentle or subtle form of motivation. The idiom implies a strong, almost urgent, need for action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lit a fire under me" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to describe the act of someone or something instigating strong motivation and inspiration within the speaker. Ludwig shows that the phrase is often used to express sudden impetus for action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lit a fire under me" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a sudden surge of motivation or inspiration, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically correct and predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of urgency and challenge. While effective in semi-formal settings, more direct alternatives such as "motivated me" or "inspired me" may be preferable in formal writing. Be mindful of the intensity implied by the idiom to avoid misapplication. Ludwig's examples highlight its role in expressing a transformative shift in one's drive and determination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Motivated me

Focuses on the action of providing a reason or incentive to do something, less idiomatic.

Inspired me

Highlights the act of filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, carries positive connotations.

Encouraged me to act

Emphasizes the act of giving someone support or confidence to do something, suggests a prior state of hesitation.

Prompted me to take action

Focuses on the initiation of an action, implies a specific trigger or event.

Galvanized me

Stresses the stimulating effect of something in order to start an action, a more formal term.

Spurred me on

Highlights the act of urging someone forward, implies ongoing effort.

Lit my fuse

More aggressive nuance, like someone's angered the speaker and made them want to fight or make a change.

Gave me a kick in the pants

Informal expression to indicate an abrupt incentive or motivation, very colloquial.

Made me buckle down

A focus on committing to serious hard work, missing the element of inspiration.

Injected momentum into my efforts

It focuses on the increase in motion of an action, less personal than the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "lit a fire under me" in a sentence?

You can use "lit a fire under me" to express that someone or something has strongly motivated or inspired you to take action. For example, "The coach's pep talk really lit a fire under me, and I played my best game."

What's the difference between "motivated me" and "lit a fire under me"?

"Motivated me" is a more general term for providing a reason to act. "Lit a fire under me" implies a more intense and urgent sense of inspiration or challenge.

What can I say instead of "lit a fire under me"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated me", "inspired me", or "prompted me to take action" depending on the context.

Is "lit a fire under me" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "lit a fire under me" is an idiomatic expression and might be too informal for academic or business writing. Consider using more direct and formal alternatives in those contexts.