set the Thames on fire
idiom

- do something remarkably impressive; distinguish oneself

- cause considerable excitement or strong feelings

- cause a great sensation

Oxford English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The phrase is surprisingly old. The Oxford English Dictionary records it from 1720, when setting the Thames on fire was presented as an absurd impossibility. By 1785, Francis Grose’s Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue explained that a man who would not set the Thames on fire would make no wonderful discoveries.

Later editions of Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable point out that similar sayings existed elsewhere, involving rivers including the Rhine and Tiber.

Setting a great river on fire is an excellent image of doing something astonishingly difficult or spectacular. 

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THE COMPLIMENT THAT ISN’T

English has a curious habit of describing mediocrity by mentioning greatness.

- “He won’t win a Nobel Prize.”

- “She’s not going to change the world.”

- “Well, it wasn’t exactly Shakespeare.”

And, rather more picturesquely:

- “He won’t set the Thames on fire.”

Nobody needs to believe that winning Nobel Prizes, writing Shakespearean drama or igniting London’s river was ever seriously expected. The speaker deliberately introduces a ridiculously high standard — and then calmly observes that the person has failed to reach it.

Such faint praise is balanced between criticism and politeness.

Imagine discussing a candidate for a senior job.

- “How was Schneider?”

- “Reliable. Thorough. Pleasant.”

- “And?”

- “Well… I don’t think he’ll set the Thames on fire.”

Nothing openly insulting has been said. Yet everyone in the room knows exactly what has been said.

Calling somebody incompetent invites resistance. Saying that they are “unlikely to set the Thames on fire” leaves the judgement hanging politely in the air.

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

astonish, cause a sensation, create a stir, cut a dash, dazzle, distinguish oneself, do wonders, electrify, excel, make a name for oneself, make a splash, make an impact, make waves, SET THE THAMES ON FIRE, set the world on fire, shine, steal the show, take the world by storm, turn heads, work wonders

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:'

“The phrase 'WON’T SET THE THAMES ON FIRE' is a typically English way to describe someone or something that is quite ordinary.”

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