idiom-requestsphrase-requests
I would like to describe how an experience increased my natural inquisitiveness, or made me more inquisitive than I already was. For example:
The experience opened my eyes to countless opportunities, and increased my inquisitive nature.
How do I phrase that sentence? I know there's some expression to do with the "spark of inquisitiveness" inside me, and "flames", but I just can't remember it 🙂
The single word that you would use is striking.
That strikes the attention of an observer; producing a vivid impression on the mind; telling, impressive, unusually remarkable. [OED]
People in red satin evening gowns, the pyramids in Egypt, and platform heels with fish in them are also striking. [vocabulary.com]
There is also the idiom not believe one's eyes that you can consider.
Fig. not to believe what one is seeing; to be shocked or dumbfounded at what one is seeing.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Example:
When we arrived, I couldn't believe my eyes. Picture it – pyramids – gigantic pyramids of stone stretching into the heavens surrounded on all sides by miles and miles of bleach white sand.
The Hands of Aldulan - Book Two: The Isle of Dusk By Eric A. Radulski
There is also the ear version: not believe one's ears.
Thanks, Cpt. Obvious!
Loosely related to the expounder Mr. Exposition, a TV trope that provides infodumps or expounds the plot. An agitator or lamentor.
Additionally, AYKB (As you know, Bob), discussed here (Info dumps, Soap-boxing, Lecturing).
Sometimes described as the Turkey City Lexicon, or a FAQ Literator.
Loosely related concepts are: perverbs or Wellerisms (making fun of established clichés and proverbs by showing that they are wrong in certain situations, often when taken literally) and Tom Swifties (a speaker attribution that puns on the quoted statement).
Best Answer
The phrase you're looking for could be the idiomatic metaphor fan the flames:
You could therefore say:
As you've also mentioned "spark", you could extend this metaphor by including it too; perhaps:
This latter phrase is less idiomatic, and more flowery than just using "fan(ned) the flames".