Fire in your belly

Meaning

Strong passion or determination.

Usage

Used to describe zeal and ambition.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Internal flame metaphor for energy.

Used since the mid-20th century in sports and leadership narratives.