catch fire
phrase
1
: to become ignited
2
: to become fired with enthusiasm
3
: to increase greatly in scope, popularity, interest, or effectiveness
The idea failed to catch fire.
Examples of catch fire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The roof reportedly caught fire before dawn, and patients and staff were evacuated, the report said.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
On June 6th, a fishing vessel in Manta burst into flames; hours later, more than thirty other boats had caught fire.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Moments after that prisoner, Pedro Medina, received the first jolt of electricity, his head caught fire and flames leaped into the air.
—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
The Texas Rangers caught fire in Toronto and are now on top of the American League West.
—
Cal Phillips
june 29,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Chicago fire officials said a vacant home in the city's Englewood neighborhood caught fire Monday morning.
—
Cbs Chicago Team,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
The heat of your oven can melt the wax coating from the paper, leaving it prone to catching fire.
—
Darcy Lenz,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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ABC News,
2 July 2026
On June 6th, a fishing vessel in Manta burst into flames; hours later, more than thirty other boats had caught fire.
—
Will Freeman,
New Yorker,
30 June 2026
Moments after that prisoner, Pedro Medina, received the first jolt of electricity, his head caught fire and flames leaped into the air.
—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
30 June 2026
The Texas Rangers caught fire in Toronto and are now on top of the American League West.
—
Cal Phillips
june 29,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Chicago fire officials said a vacant home in the city's Englewood neighborhood caught fire Monday morning.
—
Cbs Chicago Team,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
The heat of your oven can melt the wax coating from the paper, leaving it prone to catching fire.
—
Darcy Lenz,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20fire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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