Meaning & use
burning through
Last updated
“burning through” is a form of “burn through”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phrasetransitive
Using up money, time, or supplies very quickly, often without careful thought.
Grammar: Takes an object: burning through savings. The object usually comes after 'through'.
Patterns
- burning through money
- burning through time
- burning through resources
The startup is burning through its cash faster than expected.
He's been burning through his savings since he lost his job.
They were burning through supplies so quickly that they had to order more within a week.
phrasetransitive
Destroying something completely by fire, especially in a way that creates a hole or passage.
Grammar: Often used literally with fire or heat: The flames are burning through the roof.
Patterns
- burning through a wall
- burning through a rope
- fire burning through something
The fire is burning through the wooden floor.
The acid was burning through the metal container.
Sparks from the welder were burning through his gloves.
Word forms
| base form | burn through |
|---|---|
| third person singular | burns through |
| past tense | burned through |
| past participle | burned through |
| present participle | burning through |
Common combinations
- burn through cash
- The company burned through cash on expensive marketing campaigns.
- burn through savings
- They burned through their savings during the long trip.
- burn through time
- We're burning through time waiting for a decision.
- burn through resources
- The project burned through resources without producing results.
Synonyms and how they differ
- use up
- More neutral; it does not suggest wastefulness or speed as strongly as 'burn through'.
- squander
- Emphasizes wasteful use, especially of money or opportunities; it is more formal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: burning through or burn out?
burning through vs burn out
Means to become extremely tired or to stop burning; it does not take an object in the same way. 'Burn through' focuses on using up something quickly.
Practice
The company is ______ its cash reserves at an alarming rate.
Choose one answer.
'Burning through' means using up money quickly, which fits the context of cash reserves. 'Burning out' means becoming exhausted, 'burning up' means destroying by fire or having a fever, and 'burning down' means destroying a building by fire.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “burning through”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.