caught fire
Flames suddenly appeared
Caught fire means something began to burn, either literally or figuratively.
A building caught fire when flames spread to it.
An idea catches fire when it suddenly gains momentum or popularity.
A performer who caught fire delivered an unexpectedly brilliant performance.
The phrase emphasizes the sudden, sometimes uncontrolled nature of ignition—physical or metaphorical.
- igniteStart burning something
- blazeIntense burning fire
- infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
- went up in flamesBurned entirely, was destroyed
- sparkTiny fiery particle
engulfed · flame · burn · smoldering · viral · spread like wildfire · took off · trending · hot take · sensation · ember · combustion · burst into flames · ash · torched · hype · wildfire · kindled