hold someone's feet to the fire
Pressure for answers
To hold someone's feet to the fire is to pressure them to fulfill a commitment or answer for their actions.
The phrase suggests keeping someone uncomfortable until they deliver what they promised: The committee held the CEO's feet to the fire over the missing funds.
It implies sustained pressure rather than a single confrontation.
- answerabilityObligation to explain oneself
- take responsibilityAccept fault for outcomes
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- watchdoggingActively guarding against wrongdoing
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
force · repercussions · duty · whistleblowing · insistence · no excuses · hard line · persuasion · culpability · enforcement · zero tolerance · hot seat · on the spot · sanctions · inquiry · investigation · transparency · grilling
accountability pressure
hold someone's feet to the firelet off the hook
look the other way · let slide · turn a blind eye · cut some slack · excuse