set fire to

set fire to {v. phr.}

To cause to burn; start a fire in.

The sparks set fire to the oily rags.

Compare: CATCH FIRE.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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fire

[fire] See: [BALL OF FIRE], [BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA] or [BETWEEN TWO FIRES], [BUILD A FIRE UNDER], [BURNT CHILD DREADS THE FIRE], [CATCH FIRE], [DRAW FIRE], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

catch fire

[catch fire] {v. phr.} 1. To begin to burn. * /When he dropped a match in the leaves, they caught fire./ 2. To become excited. * /The audience caught fire […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

fight fire with fire

[fight fire with fire] {v. phr.}, {slightly formal}, {of Biblical origin} To fight back in the same way one was attacked; make a defense similar to the attack. * /The […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

under fire

[under fire] {adv. phr.} Being shot at or being attacked; hit by attacks or accusations; under attack. * /The soldiers stood firm under fire of the enemy./ * /The principal […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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