catching on fire
Beginning to burn
Catching on fire describes the moment something ignites and begins to burn: The curtains caught on fire from the candle.
The phrase emphasizes the transition from not burning to burning, often unexpectedly or dangerously.
Figuratively, catching on fire can mean suddenly becoming intensely popular or successful: Her career caught on fire after that viral video.
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- flameBurning gas made visible
- smoke inhalationBreathing in combustion gases
- thermal runawayUncontrolled self-reinforcing temperature rise
sprinkler system · combustion · pyrolysis · carbonization · spark · lightning strike · spontaneous combustion · flash point · fireproofing · exothermic reaction · structural collapse · flammable materials · smoke detector · arson · injury · oxidation · going up in flames · overheating
catching on firegoing out
Leaving to socialize
burning out · dying down · fizzling out · smoldering · flame retardant
catching, fire, catch, catches, caught, catcher, catchy, fires, fired