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set fire to

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌsɛt ˈfaɪr tə/ · UK /ˌset ˈfaɪə tə/

set fire to means: To make something start burning.

verb

START A FIREB1

To make something start burning.

  • They set fire to the paper.
  • Someone set fire to the old barn last night.
  • Did a dropped match set fire to the curtains?

How to use it: set fire to someone/something (The attackers set fire to the empty warehouse.)

Similar words: ignite, set alight, set ablaze

Opposites: extinguish

Common phrases: set fire to something, set fire to paper

EXCITEC1

To cause very strong feelings or make people take action.

  • The song set fire to their hearts.
  • His words set fire to the crowd’s anger.
  • That discovery could set fire to young imaginations.

How to use it: set fire to something (Her speech set fire to the audience’s imagination.)

Similar words: inflame, stir up, ignite

Opposites: calm

Common phrases: set fire to hearts, set fire to imaginations

DESTROYC1

To destroy a system, plan, or established way of doing things.

  • They set fire to tradition.
  • Her reforms set fire to the old hiring system.
  • Why are you setting fire to everything we built?

How to use it: set fire to something (The new director set fire to the old management system.)

Similar words: destroy, dismantle, tear down

Opposites: preserve

Common phrases: set fire to something, set fire to tradition

Questions about set fire to

What does set fire to mean?

To make something start burning.

What is set fire to in other languages?

Türkçe: ateşe vermek · Español: prender fuego a · Français: mettre le feu à · Deutsch: anzünden · Italiano: dare fuoco a · 日本語: 火をつける

How do you pronounce set fire to?

In American English /ˌsɛt ˈfaɪr tə/; in British English /ˌset ˈfaɪə tə/.

How do you use set fire to in a sentence?

They set fire to the paper. Someone set fire to the old barn last night.

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set fire to in other languages

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