Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

get on like a house on fire

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.09 in modern English

Syllables: get on -like a -house- on -fire
IPA

32

Scrabble Score

21

Letters

5

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To immediately start a good relationship with someone.

Example Sentences

"Those two met last Saturday at the party, and because they were both into juggling they got on like a house on fire."
"They've obviously never met before, but are getting on like a house on fire. Both are well-spoken and versed in the Queen's English."

Etymology

By metaphor, reflecting the notion that housefires are archetypally roaringly quick and robust.

Inflected Forms

gets on like a house on fire (present, singular) getting on like a house on fire (participle, present) got on like a house on fire (past) got on like a house on fire (UK, participle) gotten on like a house on fire (US, participle)

Phrases

like a house afire get along like nobody's business hit it off

Frequently Paired Words

like a house afire get along like nobody's business hit it off

Questions

What does get on like a house on fire mean?: To immediately start a good relationship with someone.
Where does get on like a house on fire come from?: By metaphor, reflecting the notion that housefires are archetypally roaringly quick and robust.

How to pronounce get on like a house on fire

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