English Reference

Phrasal verb

burn down

Definitions

01to destroy a building

B1 · Intermediate

phr.v. to destroy a building or structure completely with fire.

phr.v. to cause a building or structure to be consumed entirely by fire. Transitive use requires an object.

“The angry crowd threatened to burn down the old factory.”

“The invading forces systematically burned down every administrative building in the capital to erase all records of the previous government.”

Usage

When used transitively, the object can sit between 'burn' and 'down'.

Synonyms

incinerateraze

Antonyms

buildconstruct

02to be destroyed

B1 · Intermediate

phr.v. to be destroyed by fire until nothing is left.

phr.v. to be consumed by fire until the structure collapses or disappears. Intransitive use takes no direct object.

“The wooden barn burned down in less than an hour.”

“By the time the fire department arrived at the remote location, the historic cottage had already burned down to its foundations.”

Usage

This is the intransitive form where the building itself is the subject.

Synonyms

burn out

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “burn down” in context.

Verb

01. accidentally burn down

“A candle left on the table accidentally burned down the entire cottage.”

adv + verb

02. threaten to burn down

“The angry crowd threatened to burn down the old factory.”

verb + infinitive

03. watch the house burn down

“The family could only watch their house burn down as they waited for the fire department.”

verb + noun + infinitive

Noun

04. barn burned down

“The old wooden barn burned down during the lightning storm last night.”

noun + verb

05. school burned down

“The local primary school burned down in 1995 and was later rebuilt.”

noun + verb

Adverb

06. completely burn down

“The historic hotel was completely burned down by the time the firefighters arrived.”

adv + verb

Teaching tip

contrast with 'burn up' which often refers to smaller objects or the feeling of heat; 'down' emphasizes the collapse of the structure to the ground.

Phrasal verb

Particles

down

Separability

optional

Pattern

burn + (object) + down

Synonyms

go up in flamesbe destroyedraze

Antonyms

buildextinguishput out

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
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