General
like a house on fire
What does like a house on fire mean?
Of people, getting on very well together; or progressing rapidly.
"The two of them got on like a house on fire."
Origin
Idiom shared with British English, common in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What does get on like a house on fire mean?
It means two people are getting along extremely well; it can also mean something is progressing very rapidly.
Why does a house on fire mean getting along well?
The image is of something taking off quickly and vigorously, like flames spreading fast, applied here to a warm, fast-developing rapport.
Is like a house on fire only Australian?
No, it's an idiom shared with British English, but it's commonly used in Australia.
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