holds someone's feet to the fire
Pressures 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 maintaining uncomfortable scrutiny until they deliver: The committee held the CEO's feet to the fire until she agreed to release the documents.
It implies accountability enforced through persistent pressure rather than letting someone off easy.
- insistenceUnyielding demand for something
- crack the whipAssert stern authority
- lay down the lawEnforce rules firmly
- answerabilityObligation to explain oneself
- obligationRequired task or commitment
urging · call out · take to task · penalty · duty · demand · reprimand · culpability · enforcement · duress · leverage · coercion · deterrence · confrontation · hot seat · on the spot · interrogation · oversight
holds someone's feet to the firelooks the other way
Ignores something deliberately
turns a blind eye · lets slide · overlooks · ignores · excuses
holds someone's feet to the firepampers
Lavishes excessive care upon
babies · mollycoddles · soft-pedals · spares · coddles