Phrase guide

set fire to

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause (something) to be on fire; to set (something) alight.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • They set fire to the house.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: set light, set on fire, torch

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To destroy or dismantle (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, transitive

Examples

  • As soon as the new CEO arrived, he started setting fire to the old way of doing things.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To stir up intense emotion or action in (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, transitive

Examples

  • All it took was one word to set fire to the crowd.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: set on fire

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

31 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 放火 (fànghuǒ) — to cause to be on fire
  • Ngazidja Comorian: upatsiza — to cause to be on fire
  • Ngazidja Comorian: utria mro — to cause to be on fire
  • Czech: vznítit — to cause to be on fire
  • Danish: sætte ild til — to cause to be on fire
  • Estonian: süütama — to cause to be on fire
  • Estonian: läitma — to cause to be on fire
  • Finnish: sytyttää — to cause to be on fire
  • French: mettre le feu — to cause to be on fire
  • German: anzünden — to cause to be on fire
  • Greek: βάζω φωτιά (vázo fotiá) — to cause to be on fire
  • Hindi: जलाना (jalānā) — to cause to be on fire
  • Hindi: प्रज्वलन (prajvalan) — to cause to be on fire
  • Italian: incendiare — to cause to be on fire
  • Old English: onǣlan — to cause to be on fire
  • Polish: podpalać — to cause to be on fire
  • Polish: podpalić — to cause to be on fire
  • Portuguese: atear — to cause to be on fire
  • Quechua: kañay — to cause to be on fire
  • Romanian: da foc — to cause to be on fire
  • Russian: поджига́ть (podžigátʹ) — to cause to be on fire
  • Russian: подже́чь (podžéčʹ) — to cause to be on fire
  • Samoan: tutu le afi — to cause to be on fire
  • Sardinian: affoghizare — to cause to be on fire
  • Slovak: podpáliť — to cause to be on fire
  • Slovak: zapáliť — to cause to be on fire
  • Spanish: prender fuego — to cause to be on fire
  • Spanish: pegar fuego — to cause to be on fire
  • Spanish: incendiar — to cause to be on fire
  • Swedish: sätta eld (på) — to cause to be on fire
  • Yiddish: אונטערצינדן (untertsindn) — to cause to be on fire