set fire to

IPA/sˈɛt fˈaɪə tuː/
IPA/sˈɛt fˈaɪɚ tuː/

set fire to — idiom

1. to make something burn, either deliberately or by accident, so that it is damage

1.慣用語B2
釋義

to make something burn, either deliberately or by accident, so that it is damaged or destroyed by flames

例句

Alessia set fire to her neighbour's car and was arrested that same night.

set fire to + [vehicle/object] — typical object

Someone set fire to the old shed behind the school while Shirin watched.

passive subject unknown: someone set fire to + [building]

同義詞
  • ignite

    more technical; describes the moment something starts to burn rather than the act of causing a fire

  • torch

    informal; strongly suggests deliberate, destructive burning

  • burn down

    only for buildings or structures; focuses on total destruction

反義詞
  • extinguish

    to stop a fire from burning

  • put out

    more everyday expression for stopping a fire

常見錯誤

❌I set fire the papers.
✅I set fire to the papers.
💡'set fire' always requires 'to' before the object.