Set light to something
verb phrase
To start a fire or cause something to start burning.
He set light to the pile of leaves in his backyard.
Often appears as...
- set light to the leaves
- set light to the paper
verb phrase
To start a fire or cause something to start burning.
He set light to the pile of leaves in his backyard.
Often appears as...
- set light to the leaves
- set light to the paper
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Use
Used to describe actually starting a fire, often for a purpose like burning leaves or trash.
In autumn, the farmer set light to the stubble in his fields.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Sometimes used metaphorically to imply causing excitement or starting something energetically.
Her speech set light to the audience's passion.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Warning
Not to be confused with 'shed light on', which means to clarify or explain something.
Incorrect: He set light to the mystery. Correct: He shed light on the mystery.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Use
Used to describe actually starting a fire, often for a purpose like burning leaves or trash.
In autumn, the farmer set light to the stubble in his fields.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Sometimes used metaphorically to imply causing excitement or starting something energetically.
Her speech set light to the audience's passion.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Warning
Not to be confused with 'shed light on', which means to clarify or explain something.
Incorrect: He set light to the mystery. Correct: He shed light on the mystery.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Use
Used to describe actually starting a fire, often for a purpose like burning leaves or trash.
In autumn, the farmer set light to the stubble in his fields.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Sometimes used metaphorically to imply causing excitement or starting something energetically.
Her speech set light to the audience's passion.
Pro Tip 3/3Non-literal Warning
Not to be confused with 'shed light on', which means to clarify or explain something.
Incorrect: He set light to the mystery. Correct: He shed light on the mystery.
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