ENGLISH
REFERENCE

catch fire

idiom
Meaning

To become engulfed in flames, to combust.


Examples
SIMPLE

Be careful, or the dry leaves will catch fire.

CONTEXTUAL

The old curtains were too close to the heater and started to catch fire.

COMPLEX

If the sparks from the furnace reach the wooden floorboards, the entire workshop could catch fire within minutes.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    add fuel to the fire

    To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.

  2. 02

    ball of fire

    A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.

  3. 03

    catch a body

    to kill, to murder

  4. 04

    catch a break

    To experience the minimal amount of good luck or a favorable outcome.

  5. 05

    catch a case

    To be infected with a disease; used with of.

  6. 06

    catch a cold

    To contract a cold.

  7. 07

    catch a date

    Of a prostitute, to secure a client who is willing to pay for services.

  8. 08

    catch a fade

    To get knocked out (struck and rendered unconscious).

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