burn away

burn away

1. To continue burning (as of something that is already ablaze). We watched helplessly as our house burned away despite the firefighters' efforts. The candles on the birthday cake burned away while Molly made a wish.

2. To obliterate with fire, as of an object or substance that has been ignited. It's getting cold in here again because all the logs in the fireplace have burned away.

3. To use heat to remove something, as in a medical procedure. In this usage, a noun can be used between "burn" and "away." Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The doctor told me that he will have to burn away some tissue to alleviate my pain.

See also: away, burn

burn something away

to remove or destroy something by burning. The doctor burned the wart away. The doctor burned away the wart.

See also: away, burn

burn away

 

1. [for something] to burn until there is no more of it. All the oil burned away. The logs burned away and the fireplace was cooling down.

2. for something to keep on burning. The little fire burned away brightly, warming the tiny room. The candle burned away, giving a tiny bit of light to the huge room.

See also: away, burn