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Glite Dictionary
to set the world on fire

to set the world on fire

4 7.1
To have a big success that many people notice
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : marcar la diferencia
  • Ndamukong Suh set the world on fire when he erupted in Nebraska because he was strong and vicious, and he ate quarterbacks for lunch.
  • gonna set the world on fire

Examples

  • You can tell by observing those two little beauties that they will grow up with confidence and will set the world on fire!

    Blog text (12)

  • He's never gonna set the world on fire because he's got a real boring job.

    Stormbreaker (2006)

  • Ready to set the world on fire.

    Erased (2012)

  • To set the world on fire...

    All of Us Strangers (2023)

  • Go set the world on fire.

    Blog text (29)

  • Neither candidate will set the world on fire.

    Blog text (32)

  • You're out to set the world on fire.

    Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)

  • Didn't exactly set the world on fire, did you, Jackie?

    Jackie Brown (1997)

  • If Felix had tossed a one-hitter at Yankee Stadium and it was Ichiro who got said hit, I think many of us would have been prepared to set the world on fire.

    Blog text (28)

  • The young artist's innovative style will surely set the world on fire with its freshness and originality.

Synonyms

to make a splash
vsto set the world on fire
11 3.9

Get a lot of attention in an exciting way

implies stronger, longer lasting achievement rather than short excitement
to hit the big time
vsto set the world on fire
  • Informal
7 4.5

To become very successful and famous in your work

means a major, world‑level impact beyond career recognition
to catch fire
vsto set the world on fire
  • Texting
5 3.7

To become very popular quickly, especially online

describes a deeper, more lasting global impact rather than brief popularity
to catapult into the spotlight
vsto set the world on fire
  • Informal
6.8

Make someone suddenly very famous

refers to broader, more significant influence than momentary visibility

Antonyms

to fail to impress
2 4.1

Not make people think something is good or special

How Impactful

to set the world on fire
  • Informal
4 7.1
to make waves
  • Informal
12 4.9

Surface Forms

set the world on fire infinitive
set the world on fire past
set the world on fire past participle
setting the world on fire present participle
sets the world on fire third person singular

Morphology

set + the + world + on + fire

The constituents literally mean to cause the world to be 'on fire', but here 'fire' is a metaphor for intense impact or excitement and 'set ... on' marks causing that state. A B1 learner who knows the words may be able to infer a strong, attention-grabbing effect from the metaphor, but the exact idiomatic sense of achieving outstanding success or major cultural impact is not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Set the world on fire may come from the image of someone who sets the world on fire, starting a very big fire that grabs everyone's attention. So, to set the world on fire means 'to have an amazing success or a huge impact'.