Donate SIGN UP

Getting on

Avatar Image
burston | 15:17 Sun 15th Jul 2007 | Phrases & Sayings
2 Answers
Getting on like a house on fire. Where on earth does this phrase come from ?
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 2 of 2rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by burston. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
When a house is on fire the house and fire become connected really fast!! Fire spreads really quickly cos the house has so many things in it to feed the fire!! Does that make any sense???
The Oxford English Dictionary lists "like a house on fire (afire)" among proverbial colloquial phrases containing "house." Its definition is "as fast as a house would burn; very fast or vigorously." To my mind the phrase suggests frenzied activity and applies better to, say, working than to something quieter like getting along. But if you meant that people got along well, your listeners probably understood you.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary:

like a house on fire -
1) very well -
Example: The two children got on with each other like a house on fire.

2) very quickly -
Example: I'm getting through this job like a house on fire.
http://www.allwords.com/query.php?SearchType=0 &Keyword=like+a+house+on+fire&goquery=Find+it% 21&Language=ENG&NLD=1&FRA=1&DEU=1&ITA=1&ESP=1

1 to 2 of 2rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Getting on

Answer Question >>