catch fire

present singular third person catches fire · participle present catching fire · participle past caught fire · past caught fire · alternative proscribed sometimes catch on fire

1. idiomaticTo become engulfed in flames, to go up in flames.

   Ships' logs noted observations of the northern lights as far south as the Caribbean, and telegraph systems across the world were disrupted as electrical currents were induced in the copper lines. Several telegraph operators received electric shocks and some telegraph stations even caught fire.

   2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30

   Synonyms: catch flame, go on fire, go up in flames, go up in smoke, catch on fire, combust, conflagrate, fire

2. figurativelyTo become very popular or widespread; to take off.

   The news caught fire through the school, and Layla found herself — a mere first-year student at the secondary school — the center of attention and admiration.

   2002, Latifa Al-Zayyat, Marilyn Booth, The Open Door, page 9

3. figurativelyTo be inspired by passion or zeal.