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fire up
fire someone up
Fig. to motivate someone; to make someone enthusiastic. See if you can fire John up and get him to rake the leaves. I have to fire up the electorate if I want them to vote for me.
fire something up
1. Lit. to light something, such as a pipe, cigarette, etc. If you fire that pipe up, I will leave the room. Please don't fire up that cigar in here!
2. Fig. to start something such as an engine. Fire this thing up, and let's get going. Andy fired up the snowblower and started to clear a path.
fire up
to light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. One by one, the guests went outside and fired up. I have to get out of here and fire up.
fire up
1. Inflame with enthusiasm, anger, or another strong emotion, as in Her speech fired up the crowd in favor of her proposals. This expression dates from the early 1800s, when it referred literally to starting a fire in a furnace or boiler; its figurative use dates from the late 1800s.
2. Light a pipe, cigar, or cigarette, as in
Do you mind if I fire up? [Late 1800s] A more common term, however, is
light up, def. 2.
3. Start the ignition of an engine, as in Whenever he tried to fire up the motor, it stalled. [Mid-1900s]
fire up
v.1. To set something going, especially a machine; start the operation of something: She fired up the furnace as soon as she entered the old house. The driver fired the engine up and we took off.
2. To make someone or something excited or enthusiastic: The review fired me up about the author's new book. The cheerleaders fired up the crowd.
3. To light a cigarette, cigar, or similar product: The comedian fired up a cigar and began his act. The patient fired the cigarette up despite the doctor's warnings.
fire up
in. to light a marijuana cigarette. Frank fires up at every chance.