catch fire

verb

1. To become engulfed in flames, to combust.

   “Ships' logs noted observations of the northern lights as far south as the Caribbean, and telegraph systems across the world were disrupted as electrical currents were induced in the copper lines. Several telegraph operators received electric shocks and some telegraph stations even caught fire.”

2. To become very popular or widespread; to take off.

   “The news caught fire through the school, and Layla found herself — a mere first-year student at the secondary school — the center of attention and admiration.”

3. To be inspired by passion or zeal.