set the world afire
Cause massive sensation
To set the world afire is to create widespread excitement, passion, or dramatic change—to have a revolutionary impact.
The phrase suggests igniting something that spreads rapidly and transforms everything it touches: Her debut novel set the world afire.
Often used in the negative to describe modest achievements: The sequel didn't exactly set the world afire.
- zealIntense driving devotion
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- make wavesCause a disturbance
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
burning passion · invention · ignition · influence · ripple effect · change the game · take by storm · revolution · determination · paradigm shift · wildfire · pioneering · blaze a trail · trailblazing · firebrand · legacy · leave a mark · spark
set the world afirefall flat
Fail to impress
fizzle out · go nowhere · fly under the radar · peter out · come to naught
set the world afirefall on deaf ears
Be ignored despite being spoken
put to sleep · bomb · flop
setting, setter, world, worlds, worldly, worldwide, otherworldly, afire, fire