🗓️ Idiom: Keep the Flame Burning (verb)
💬 Meaning
- To continue showing enthusiasm or interest.
- To maintain motivation or passion over time.
🧠 Example Sentences
- Even after the project was delayed, the CEO kept the flame burning by reminding everyone of the company’s long-term vision.
- The founder worked hard to keep the flame burning during tough financial times.
- The team kept the flame burning by celebrating small wins while waiting for a big contract.
🏛️ Origin
This idiom comes from keeping a flame going at a shrine or religious place, or even in your home. It developed use in maintaining enthusiasm, motivation, and dedication over a long time.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
The mentor encouraged the team to ________ during the long project.
Answer
keep the flame burning
2. Multiple choice:
What does “keep the flame burning” mean?
a) To light a candle
b) To maintain enthusiasm or motivation
c) To start a fire
Answer
b) To maintain enthusiasm or motivation
3. Change the sentence using keep the flame burning:
She continued to work hard to stay excited about her goals.
Answer
She worked hard to keep the flame burning for her goals.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
📚 Learning Resources
👉 Idioms for Motivation & Perseverance
👉 Business English Idioms List
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
