1 C1 neutral
(Trade) To apply heat downward with a blowtorch to seal or bond roofing material.
"The roofer torched down the felt membrane to create a watertight seal."
separable
torch down
C1 informal separable transitive
To apply flame deliberately downward onto a surface, or to burn something down to the ground using a torch.
In plain English
To burn something down using a flame or torch.
What does "torch down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 informal
To deliberately set fire to something and burn it to the ground.
"The arsonist torched down the abandoned warehouse overnight."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To direct a burning torch downward onto something.
Actually means
To burn something down using a flame or torch.
Usage tip
Relatively rare. Used in roofing trades to describe applying heat from a blowtorch downward to seal roofing felt or membrane. Can also be used informally to mean deliberately destroying something by fire. Not widely known outside trade contexts.
Words that pair with "torch down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
roof membrane felt surface building structure
How to conjugate "torch down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
torch down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
torches down
he/she/it
Past simple
torched down
yesterday
Past participle
torched down
have + pp
-ing form
torching down
continuous
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