fire under

*fire under someone

Fig. something that makes someone start doing something. (*Typically: build ~; light ~; start ~.) The teacher built a fire under the students, and they really started working. You had better light a fire under your staff. Either that or we will lay off some of them.
See also: fire
References in classic literature ?
It seems that each green warrior has certain objective points for his fire under relatively identical circumstances of warfare.
View in context
A fire under those conditions could be extremely fast-moving,'' said Capt.
FIRE OFFICIALS ON HIGH ALERT EXTRA CREWS ASSIGNED TO ANGELES FOREST
Forest Service firefighters, aided by two helicopters, brought the fire under control in an hour.
WINDS HOT, DRY HIGH ALERT STILL ON FOR FIRE
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