Phrasal verb
burn down
Meanings
(of a building or structure) to be destroyed completely by fire
to destroy a building or structure by fire
Definition
To burn down means to be completely destroyed by fire.
If a building or structure burns down, it is destroyed by fire. You can also burn something down, meaning you cause it to be destroyed by fire. The focus is usually on the result: the place is gone or ruined after the fire.
Examples
- Our old barn burned down during the storm last summer.
- The candle tipped over, and the curtains burned down in minutes.
- Their restaurant burned down overnight, so they had to close for weeks.
- He watched the abandoned warehouse burn down from a safe distance.
- I can’t believe the cabin burned down right before our trip.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "burn out" when they mean "burn down" for a building being destroyed by fire.
More intransitive phrasal verbs
- wake up To stop sleeping and become awake.
- slow down To slow down means to reduce speed or activity and move or happen less quickly.
- blow up To blow up means to suddenly explode or to become suddenly very angry.
- calm down To calm down means to become less upset, angry, or excited.
- slow up To slow up means to become slower or to make someone or something go more slowly.