build a fire under

listen to the pronunciation of build a fire under
İngilizce - Türkçe
birine fitil vermek
build a fire
ateş yakmak
İngilizce - İngilizce
Alternative form of light a fire under
(deyim) Urge or force (a slow or unwilling person) to action; get (someone) moving; arouse

The health department built a fire under the restaurant owner and got him to clean the place up by threatening to cancel his license.