galvanize into action

galvanize (one) into action

To induce or cause one to start doing something. We'd been trying to ignore the leak in our roof, but that torrential downpour finally galvanized us into action. Oh yeah, I returned those books today—the threat of a hefty library fine is what ultimately galvanized me into action. A: "Wow, you finally cleaned your room." B: "Yep, Mom threatened to ground me, so that galvanized me into action."

See also: action, galvanize

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

galvanize someone into action

Fig. to stimulate someone into some activity. The explosion galvanized Martha into action. We were galvanized into action by the storm.

See also: action, galvanize

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.