hold one‘s feet to the fire最开始是折磨囚犯的一种方法，把囚犯的脚置于大火之上，烫的受不了，以迫使囚犯承认罪行。如今延伸表示 “给某人施加压力”。

【例句】
We really need his business, so do your best to hold his feet to the fire! 我们真的需要他的生意，所以你尽力给他施压!

We really need his business, so do your best to hold his feet to the fire!
我们确实需要他的生意，所以你要尽你最大的努力来促使他同意签约。