Phrase guide

on fire

prep_phrase · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Being burned by fire.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • If the wind picks up and the flames spread, the whole town could go on fire.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: afire, aflame, alight, burning, flaming, in flames, go up in smoke

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Overwhelmed with emotion; beside oneself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Excited, enthusiastic or passionate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

prep_phrase

Meaning 4

Doing very well; achieving good results at a rapid rate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • That striker has scored four goals so far – he's on fire!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: on a roll, on a tear

Antonyms: none provided

5

prep_phrase

Meaning 5

Sexually aroused.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

prep_phrase

Meaning 6

Experiencing a burning-like sensation, especially "the burn" (from buildup of lactic acid)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: excessive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English on fier, on fijre, on fire, on fyire, on fyre.

Across languages

Translations

36 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: in brand — being burned by fire
  • Dutch: in de fik — being burned by fire
  • Dutch: in de hens — being burned by fire
  • Dutch: in lichterlaaie — being burned by fire
  • Finnish: tulessa — being burned by fire
  • French: en feu — being burned by fire
  • Galician: ó lume — being burned by fire
  • Galician: ao lume — being burned by fire
  • Georgian: იწვის (ic̣vis) — being burned by fire
  • German: in Brand — being burned by fire
  • German: in Flammen — being burned by fire
  • Gothic: 𐍆𐌿𐌽𐌹𐍃𐌺𐍃 (funisks) — being burned by fire
  • Irish: le thine — being burned by fire
  • Italian: in fiamme — being burned by fire
  • Latin: ardens — being burned by fire
  • Latin: flagrans — being burned by fire
  • Latin: igneus — being burned by fire
  • Polish: płonący — being burned by fire
  • Portuguese: pegando fogo — being burned by fire
  • Portuguese: em chamas — being burned by fire
  • Romanian: în flăcări — being burned by fire
  • Russian: в огне́ (v ogné) — being burned by fire
  • Spanish: en fuego — being burned by fire
  • Spanish: en llamas — being burned by fire
  • Swedish: i brand — being burned by fire
  • Swedish: brinnande — being burned by fire
  • Welsh: ar dân — being burned by fire
  • Azerbaijani: qan eləmək — rapidly achieving good results
  • Azerbaijani: sikib-dağıtmaq — rapidly achieving good results
  • Finnish: vauhdissa — rapidly achieving good results
  • German: einen Lauf haben — rapidly achieving good results
  • Polish: na fali — rapidly achieving good results
  • Russian: в уда́ре (v udáre) — rapidly achieving good results
  • Spanish: en fuego — rapidly achieving good results
  • Spanish: en racha — rapidly achieving good results
  • Spanish: a tope — rapidly achieving good results