put a bomb under (someone or something)

To motivate or give someone an incentive to do something faster, better, or with greater energy or enthusiasm. Primarily heard in UK. It's been over a week now and we still haven't gotten our delivery! I think it's time you called customer support and put a bomb under them. Here's hoping the new manager will put a bomb under his squad, because they've been looking like amateurs the past few games.

put a bomb under

1 take drastic steps to rouse (an inactive or dilatory person) to action. 2 have a profound or radical effect on (something, especially something that has been accepted or unchanged for a long time). informal

2 2003 John Ray Dissecting Leftism In my academic posting of May 16th about psychopathy, I report findings that should put a bomb under a major field of psychological research.