English Expression · Intermediate
catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust
Pronunciation: say catch fire
Meaning
To spread rapidly, especially regarding news or information.
Example
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.
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.
Practice tips
- Practice catch fire out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.