Burn something to a cinder/crisp
verb phrase
To burn something completely or until it is extremely damaged.
He forgot about the pizza in the oven and ended up burning it to a cinder.
Often appears as...
- burn dinner to a crisp
- burn wood to a cinder
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb phrase
In human context, to make someone feel physically or emotionally drained or exhausted.
The intense training session had burnt him to a crisp by the end of the day.
Often appears as...
- burned out to a crisp
- burned to the bone
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb phrase
To burn something completely or until it is extremely damaged.
He forgot about the pizza in the oven and ended up burning it to a cinder.
Often appears as...
- burn dinner to a crisp
- burn wood to a cinder
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb phrase
In human context, to make someone feel physically or emotionally drained or exhausted.
The intense training session had burnt him to a crisp by the end of the day.
Often appears as...
- burned out to a crisp
- burned to the bone
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Destruction
Used when something is destroyed beyond repair, not just superficial damage.
After the campfire mishap, the chairs were burned to a crisp.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Often used to exaggerate how much something is burned for a dramatic or humorous effect.
I tried to cook a romantic dinner, but burned the steak to a cinder.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Outcome
Implies a negative result, frequently reflecting disappointment or disapproval.
Despite our effort, the project was burned to a crisp.
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Destruction
Used when something is destroyed beyond repair, not just superficial damage.
After the campfire mishap, the chairs were burned to a crisp.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Often used to exaggerate how much something is burned for a dramatic or humorous effect.
I tried to cook a romantic dinner, but burned the steak to a cinder.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Outcome
Implies a negative result, frequently reflecting disappointment or disapproval.
Despite our effort, the project was burned to a crisp.
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Destruction
Used when something is destroyed beyond repair, not just superficial damage.
After the campfire mishap, the chairs were burned to a crisp.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Often used to exaggerate how much something is burned for a dramatic or humorous effect.
I tried to cook a romantic dinner, but burned the steak to a cinder.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Outcome
Implies a negative result, frequently reflecting disappointment or disapproval.
Despite our effort, the project was burned to a crisp.
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