fire in the belly

fire in (one's)/the belly

Passion and determination. I'm confident that Bill will get them to listen to our pitch—he has such a fire in the belly for this sort of work.
See also: belly, fire
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fire in the (or your) belly

a powerful sense of ambition or determination.
1991 Vanity Fair Bennett is quick to deny feeling the fire in the belly generally considered a prerequisite for tenancy at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
See also: belly, fire
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • fire in (one's)/the belly
  • fire in your belly
  • airing
  • air (one's) belly
  • air belly
  • air one’s belly
  • bellies
  • belly button
  • have a yellow belly
  • beer belly
References in periodicals archive
Because the fire in the belly that drives the metalcasting industry is starting to burn a little hotter.
Checking our pulse
They questioned his "fire in the belly" for BU's ambitious new $1 billion capital campaign, its largest to date.
Boston University. (Appointed And Promoted)
Some racing drivers are real racers and have this fire in the belly. I didn't see that fire in Jenson."
Motor racing: Watson fires out warning