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burn up

B1 neutral separable both
In simple words

To be completely destroyed by fire, to make someone very angry, or to disintegrate in the atmosphere.

Literal meaning: To burn upward/completely until all is consumed by flames.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To be completely destroyed or consumed by fire or intense heat.

"The letter burned up in seconds when she held it to the candle flame."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To make someone very angry or irritated.

"It really burns me up when people talk over others in a meeting."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 neutral

(Of a spacecraft or meteorite) to disintegrate from friction when re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

"Most of the debris will burn up harmlessly as it re-enters the atmosphere."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The 'make angry' sense is common in informal American English. The 'disintegrate on re-entry' sense is used in scientific and space contexts. The literal combustion sense is widely understood.

Commonly used with

rocket satellite anger patience fuel debris

Forms

Base
burn up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
burns up
he/she/it
Past simple
burned up
yesterday
Past participle
burned up
have + pp
-ing form
burning up
continuous

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