burn up
1. To destroy something with fire or heat. It's getting cold in here because all the logs in the fireplace have burned up. Without its heat shields, the spacecraft is in danger of burning up during reentry. A: "You're stuck on this level? OK, you need to pick up that torch and burn up the leaves." B: "Oh my gosh, there's a key!"
2. To cause to become angry or annoyed. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is often used between "burn" and "up." Gossip like that just burns me up—I can't believe people would say such awful things about me! It burns me up to be overlooked for that management position again and again. I'm more than qualified for it! Yes, I did give that boy detention. It completely burned me up to see how he was bullying some of the younger kids!
3. To deplete a particular thing or resource. Unfortunately, all those plumbing problems have already burned up our renovation budget. I told him he was a fool to burn up his vacation time in the beginning of the year, but he didn't listen. If we keep burning up cash like this, our company will be bankrupt by the end of the year!
4. To impact something to a great or excessive degree. Sir, protestors are burning up our phone lines—what should we do? That viral video is burning up the Internet right now. Our latest product is so popular that people are positively burning up our site!
5. To easily defeat or outshine all competitors. With all of your qualifications, you'll burn up all the other applicants for the job. Wow, I didn't realize Mara was so fast! She really burned up the other runners in her heat. You should get their latest phone, no question—it burns up the competition.
6. To travel very fast. Often used to describe driving in the phrase "burn up the road." Have you seen my new car? Man, I can't wait to take it out and burn up the road! If those drag racers are burning up the street again, I'm calling the police! Slow down! Just because you have your license now doesn't mean you have to burn up the road!
7. To have a high fever. Jenny has been lethargic all day, and she's burning up now, so I'm taking her to the doctor. If you're still burning up in the morning, you're not going to school. Well, you're not burning up anymore. If you're feeling OK, I guess you can go outside for a few minutes.
burned up
Very angry or annoyed. Pete's burned up because he heard the awful things that people are saying about him. Mom is going to be burned up when she sees that you dented her new car! Believe me, I was burned up when I realized that my so-called friend had sabotaged my chances to move up in the company.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.