build a fire under
Look at other dictionaries:
build a fire under — {v. phr.} To urge or force (a slow or unwilling person) to action; get (someone) moving; arouse. * /The health department built a fire under the restaurant owner and got him to clean the place up by threatening to cancel his license./ … Dictionary of American idioms
build\ a\ fire\ under — v. phr. To urge or force (a slow or unwilling person) to action; get (someone) moving; arouse. The health department built a fire under the restaurant owner and got him to clean the place up by threatening to cancel his license … Словарь американских идиом
build a fire under — phrasal to stimulate to vigorous action … New Collegiate Dictionary
build a fire under — phrasal : to stimulate (someone or something) to vigorous action … Useful english dictionary
fire — firer, n. /fuyeur/, n., v., fired, firing. n. 1. a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame. 2. a burning mass of material, as on a hearth or… … Universalium
fire — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. flame, blaze, conflagration, holocaust; enthusiasm, verve. v. t. kindle, ignite; shoot, detonate; inspire, arouse; dismiss, discharge. See heat, propulsion, excitement, fuel, vigor, ejection. II… … English dictionary for students
fire — See: BALL OF FIRE, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA or BETWEEN TWO FIRES, BUILD A FIRE UNDER, BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE, CATCH FIRE, DRAW FIRE, FAT S IN THE FIRE, FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE, HANG FIRE, HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON ONE S HEAD, HOLD… … Dictionary of American idioms
fire — See: BALL OF FIRE, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA or BETWEEN TWO FIRES, BUILD A FIRE UNDER, BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE, CATCH FIRE, DRAW FIRE, FAT S IN THE FIRE, FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE, HANG FIRE, HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON ONE S HEAD, HOLD… … Dictionary of American idioms
fire — See: ball of fire, between the devil and the deep blue sea or between two fires, build a fire under, burnt child dreads the fire, catch fire, draw fire, fat s in the fire, fight fire with fire, hang fire, heap coals of fire on one s head, hold… … Словарь американских идиом
fire — I n. destructive burning 1) to set, start a fire; to set fire to (they set fire to the barn) 2) to catch fire (the house caught fire) 3) to contain; extinguish, put out; stamp out a fire; to bring a fire under control 4) a raging, roaring fire 5) … Combinatory dictionary
