1
general::
Phrase(s): burn up
to become destroyed or consumed by fire. • The wood burned up and left only ashes. • The deed burned up in the fire., Phrase(s): burn something up
to destroy something by fire; [for fire] to consume something. • Take this cardboard and burn it up. • The fire burned up the papers and left no trace., Phrase(s): burn someone up
1. Lit. to destroy someone by fire. • The house fire burned the victims up. • The fire burned up both of them. 2. Fig. to make someone very angry; to make someone endure the "heat" of rage. • You really burn me up! I’m very angry at you! • The whole mess burned up everyone.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. burn someone up/burn up: Make angry or very irritated, as in Arthur was really burned up at his son for denting the new car, or Those careless drivers just burn me up. [Colloquial; c. 1920] 2. Travel very fast, as in This car will burn up the road. [1940s] 3. Easily surpass or outdo, as in They'll burn up the other teams. [Slang; late 1970s]
American Heritage Idioms