light a fire under
To motivate or encourage (someone) to start sooner or move faster.
Let me see if I can light a fire under the waiter to get our order sooner.
fire
UK /ˈfaɪ.ə/ US /ˈfaɪ.ə/
noun 7verb 5adj 1intj 1name 1
Definitions
noun
1
A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
2
An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).
We sat about the fire singing songs and telling tales.
We toted in the wood and got the fire going nice and comfortable. Lord James still set in one of the chairs and Applegate had cabbaged the other and was hugging the stove.
3
The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.
There was a fire at the school last night and the whole place burned down.
During hot and dry summers many fires in forests are caused by regardlessly discarded cigarette butts.
4
The aforementioned chemical reaction of burning, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
5
A heater or stove used in place of a real fire (such as an electric fire).
adj
1
Amazing; excellent.
This is fire, keep up the amazing work!
verb
1
To set (something, often a building) on fire.
["]Then I slipped up again with a box of matches, fired my heap of paper and rubbish, put the chairs and bedding thereby, led the gas to the affair, by means of an india-rubber tube, and waving a farewell to the room left it for the last time." / "You fired the house!" exclaimed Kemp. / "Fired the house. It was the only way to cover my trail – and no doubt it was insured.["]
That lamp was the mummy of a woman tied to a stout stake let into the rock, and he had fired her hair.
2
To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.
If you fire the pottery at too high a temperature, it may crack.
They fire the wood to make it easier to put a point on the end.
3
To drive away by setting a fire.
Till my bad angel fire my good one out.
4
To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct, incompetence, or poor performance).
The first, obvious choice was hysterical and fantastic Blanche – had there not been her timidity, her fear of being ‘fired’[…].
5
To terminate a contract with a client; to drop a client.
Don't be hesitant to fire a client - cull out the deadwood. If a client doesn't meet the above criteria, you are better off without him. You don't do your best work for a client you'd rather not have.
Maintaining a collegial attitude even when doing the more difficult business work, like firing a client, is another part. If you are struggling through the relationship, the client might be struggling as well, so firing them may be mutually beneficial, and you should try and do it on the best of terms.
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