put something to the torch

put (something) to the torch

To set fire to something with the intention of destroying it. The soldiers stormed through the village, putting homes to the torch as they went. Many holy scriptures of the religion were put to the torch during the war.See also: put, torch

put something to the ˈtorch

(literary) set fire to something deliberately: The original castle was put to the torch in the 18th century, although it was rebuilt later.See also: put, something, torch