galvanize (one) into action
To induce or cause one to start doing something. We'd been trying to ignore the leak in our roof, but that torrential downpour finally galvanized us into action. Oh yeah, I returned those books today—the threat of a hefty library fine is what ultimately galvanized me into action.
galvanize someone into action
Fig. to stimulate someone into some activity. The explosion galvanized Martha into action. We were galvanized into action by the storm.