put a match to

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the botched raid nonetheless put a match to the fuse of the Civil War.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2024

“You don’t put a big log on the fire and put a match to it and expect it to burn — it’s not going to happen. Fires are driven by kindle.”

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2018

It was as if someone had put a match to a leaking gas pipe.

From Time Magazine Archive

She thought, like an idiot as she is, that it would be fun to put a match to the fireworks when all our backs were turned, and make us start with surprise.

From The Crown of Success by A. L. O. E.

"Yes, it seems to be gone," said Uncle Tad, looking carefully around the tent, after he had put a match to the wood kindlings.

From Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Big Woods by Nosworthy, Florence England