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mettere fuoco
/ˈmet.te.re ˈfwɔ.ko/◆idiom
to set fire to
Qualcuno ha messo fuoco alla mia macchina!
Someone set fire to my car!
informal
To deliberately ignite something, often with malicious intent; to cause something to burn.
I ladri hanno messo fuoco al magazzino per distruggere le prove.
The thieves set fire to the warehouse to destroy the evidence.
Non mettere fuoco a quella pila di fogli, è pericoloso!
Don’t set fire to that pile of papers, it’s dangerous!
Often used in contexts involving arson, vandalism, or reckless behavior.
Collocations
mettere fuoco a qualcosato set something on firemettere fuoco a un edificioto set a building on fire
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative
While 'mettere fuoco' literally means 'to set fire to,' it is almost always used in contexts involving arson or deliberate burning. Avoid using it for accidental fires.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
This phrase is almost always used in negative contexts (arson, vandalism, or reckless behavior). It is not used for cooking or controlled fires.
Word Origin
From the Italian verb 'mettere' (to put/place) + 'fuoco' (fire). The phrase literally means 'to put fire' but is used idiomatically to describe the act of setting something ablaze.
Usage Notes
This phrase is literal in most contexts but can also be used figuratively in expressions like 'mettere fuoco alle polveri' (to set the powder keg alight, meaning to provoke a conflict).
Word Breakdown
mettere
to put/place
verbfuoco
fire
nounDizionario Italiano-Inglese