burn in

burn in

1. To use heat to engrave or etch something into a material. A noun or pronoun can be used between "burn" and "in." We need to burn in the letters first, then you can work on the rest of your design.
2. To cause to leave a lasting or permanent impression on someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "burn" and "in." Have you studied enough? You need to burn this material in before the big test. The image of you two kissing is burned in my brain now! Gross!
3. To cause to remain permanently visible on a screen, as can happen when an image has been continuously displayed on a screen for a long period of time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "burn" and "in." That image could get burned in if you leave the movie paused for much longer.
4. To use light exposure to darken or lighten areas of a photograph or negative. Now burn in the shadows on this side of the picture.
5. To use a new piece of electronic equipment for a certain period of time to confirm that it works properly. We definitely need to burn in this new server before we put it online.
See also: burn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

burn something in

Fig. to run a piece of new electronic equipment for a while to make certain that all the electrical parts will last a long time. Please burn this computer in for a couple of hours before you deliver it. The technician burned in the computer.
See also: burn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

burn in

v.
1. To engrave or etch something, such as marks or letters, on a surface by the use of intense heat: I burned in the image of an eagle and then varnished the wood.
2. To darken or brighten a part of a photographic print or negative by exposing unmasked areas: Burn in the edges of the picture to create a darkened border. You can burn in the highlights to enhance their effect.
3. To become a permanently visible image due to constant exposure: The message was displayed on the computer screen so long that it burned in.
4. To implant something firmly in the memory: I repeated the poem over and over again to burn it in my mind. The image of the forest fire has been burned in my memory.
See also: burn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • burn (something) into (something)
  • burn into
  • inscribe
  • inscribe into
  • inscribe into (something)
  • burn at the stake
  • burn up the road
  • go for the burn
  • stoke
  • stoke up