burn down . burn down {v. phr.} To burn to the ground; be totally gutted by fire. The old frame house burned down before the firefighters could get to it. Categories: add yours {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: B Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry