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to catch (on) fire
![to [catch] (on|) fire definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/61052/original/?type=jpeg "to [catch] (on|) fire definition and meaning")
Collocation
Examples
The old barn caught fire and burned to the ground.
02
to quickly gain popularity or go viral
Slang
What does "to catch fire" mean in internet slang?
The structure is a metaphorical verb phrase borrowed from its real world meaning of something igniting, repurposed to describe rapid online growth. It is used to describe content such as a video, post, meme, or trend that quickly gains popularity or goes viral across social media platforms. People typically say a post "caught fire" when it racks up millions of views, shares, or comments in a short period, often unexpectedly.
Examples
Videos like this often catch fire within hours.
