1 C1 informal
To light or ignite something using a torch or open flame.
"He torched up the blowtorch and began soldering the copper pipes."
separable
torch up
C1 informal separable transitive
To ignite or light something using a torch or open flame.
In plain English
To light something on fire using a torch.
What does "torch up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
(Cooking) To caramelise the surface of food using a small kitchen torch.
"She torched up the sugar topping on the crème brûlée until it turned golden brown."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To point a torch upward or to ignite something with a torch.
Actually means
To light something on fire using a torch.
Usage tip
An uncommon phrasal verb. Used informally in roofing, metalworking, and cooking (e.g., using a blowtorch on a crème brûlée). Also used colloquially to mean lighting a cigarette or starting a campfire. Generally rare outside these specific contexts.
Words that pair with "torch up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
blowtorch flame burner surface cigarette campfire
How to conjugate "torch up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
torch up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
torches up
he/she/it
Past simple
torched up
yesterday
Past participle
torched up
have + pp
-ing form
torching up
continuous
Hear "torch up" in the wild
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