set the woods on fire

set the woods on fire

To do wonderful or exciting things that cause a great or remarkable sensation; to become extremely popular, famous, renowned, etc. Often used in the negative to indicate the opposite. I wouldn't be too concerned with what he thinks of you. For all his money and education, he's hardly setting the woods on fire, is he? As a girl, Janet dreamed of setting the woods on fire as a famous actress.

See also: fire, on, set, wood

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

not set the woods on fire

If someone or something does not set the woods on fire, they do not cause great excitement or interest or have great success. Our team isn't exactly setting the woods on fire this year.

See also: fire, not, on, set, wood

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012