burnt to a 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

burnt to a cinder (or crisp)

completely burnt through, leaving only the charred remnant.See also: burnt, cinder