cinder

burn (someone or something) to a cinder

1. To burn something, typically when cooking it, to the extent that it is completely charred and blackened. I forgot about the bread I'd put in the oven and burned it to a cinder.
2. To burn someone severely (typically referring to sunburn). Often used in passive constructions. If you lay on the beach all day without any sunscreen, you'll get burned to a cinder.
See also: burn, cinder
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

burned to a cinder

burned very badly. [Very often used figuratively.] I stayed out in the sun too long, and I am burned to a cinder. This toast is burnt to a cinder.
See also: burn, cinder
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

burn to a cinder

Also, burn to a crisp. Destroy by fire; overcook. For example, If I stay in the sun too long, I'll be burnt to a cinder, or He's an awful cook-dinner was burnt to a crisp. Although both expressions can be used literally, they also function as hyperbole, as in the examples.
See also: burn, cinder
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

burnt to a cinder (or crisp)

completely burnt through, leaving only the charred remnant.
See also: burnt, cinder
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

burn something to a ˈcinder/ˈcrisp

cook something for too long or with too much heat, so that it becomes badly burnt: Alan left the potatoes for so long that they were burnt to a crisp.
See also: burn, cinder, crisp, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • burn (someone or something) to a cinder
  • burn (someone or something) to a crisp
  • burn to a cinder
  • burn to a crisp
  • burned to a cinder
  • burnt to a cinder
  • clip (something) out of (something)
  • clip out of
  • end in
  • end in (something)
References in periodicals archive
Gareth, who recalls that a certain Declan Donnelly had a small role in The Cinder Path, is pretty confident that the Cookson glory days can be recaptured, at least in part.
Cookson wartime classic set for return to theatre; A century on from the First World War, Catherine Cookson's The Cinder Path is to premiere on stage, as DAVID WHETSTONE reports
"There's a lot of detail paid to Cinder's internal wiring, which was done with great care for reasons that become apparent as the book nears its close.
Cinder: Book One in the Lunar Chronicles
Making cinder toffee is a terrific way to spend an hour in the kitchen, and although it involves the relative dangers of boiling sugar, it's one to definitely share with the kids.
Let's do the Hokey-Pokey
Having second thoughts about their "burning man" ceremony, they beat out the flames--mostly--and Cinder took off his smokin' clothes.
The story of cinder
The incident damaged a fence, landscape shrubs, a city street sign and the cinder block wall.
BRIEFLY METRO
Prop Adam Sturdy, in a line-out drive, and Dan Pointon's penalty goal opened Stour's account before more forward pressure produced a try for Cinder ford centre Dowi Scour field converted by Knight.
Depleted Stourbridge happy to take bonus points out of defeat by Cinderford; NATIONAL TWO In association with www.flybe.com
"At Cinder's, 'becoming a princess (or prince) everyday' is our slogan that motivates our business.
Cinder's joins IAA's Open Day with a fashion show for little princes and princesses
Although the disk is now about as massive as Jupiter, it's likely to become three to five times as heavy during the next million years, as Mira A sheds more of its mass and becomes a dead cinder called a white dwarf.
Stellar death may spawn solar system
It is used to mold urethane foam blocks (like cinder blocks), urethane door panels, urethane foam helmet liners, urethane foam boat stringers and architectural components.
Polyurethane release
Two decades ago, in 1985, Carl and his wife Brenda moved north from Whitewater to Fond du Lac after acquiring a piece of property consisting of a small cinder block building and some vacant land.
American Auto Iron & Metal: hard work will pay off: Wisconsin recycling firm is fueled by the hard work of its people and its Sierra shear/baler/logger
"Whenever I'm onstage I feel so special cinder the lights," says Cirio, who began taking ballet lessons at the age of nine and knew by the age of 13 that she wanted to make dance a career.
Lia Cirio: Boston Ballet's newest it girl
Restoration of 140 West Street's facade required 520,000 bricks, 22,500 cinder blocks, and 93 tons of structural steel.
Tishman Interiors collects award for West St. restoration project
Building materials can include bricks, cinder and concrete blocks, cement, plaster, ceramics, fiberglass, abrasives, cleaning and face powders, and commercial sands.
Geologic material as physical evidence
Charlotte Jennifer Laura Thompson Kathy Marcy Harriell Marco Jesse Tyler Ferguson Robert Hugh Panaro Cinder Lea DeLaria John Paul Eric Jordan Young Young Girl Celia Keenan-Bolger Mr.
Little Fish
It is a gigantic classic shield volcano, and the broad landscape of its summit is an alpine desert composed of cinder cones on a lava plateau.
Life in Mauna Kea's alpine desert