burn in

To make an experience, image, or fact stay strongly in someone's memory.

• The shock burned the scene in my memory.
• Years of practice burned the rules in.
• That terrible sight has been burned in my mind forever.

How to use it: burn something in someone's memory (The accident burned that sound in her memory.)

Similar words: imprint, engrave

Common phrases: burn something in, burn in a memory

To run new electronic parts for a while, often under stress, to find early faults.

• They burn in every circuit board.
• The factory burned in the chips for two days.
• Have these components been burned in at high temperatures?

How to use it: burn in something / burn something in (We burn the processors in before shipping them.)

Similar words: stress-test

Common phrases: burn in new components, burn something in

To damage a surface deeply with fire or strong heat, leaving a mark or hole.

• The hot coal burned a hole in the rug.
• The heat burned deep marks in the wood.
• A spark landed on the seat and burned in.

How to use it: burn something in something (The hot coal burned a hole in the carpet.)

Similar words: scorch

Common phrases: burn in a hole, burn something in

To make colors or a design stay permanently on a surface by using strong heat.

• The potter burned in the colors.
• Strong heat burns the painted design in permanently.
• Have you burned in the decoration yet?

How to use it: burn in something / burn something in (The kiln burns the colors in permanently.)

Similar words: fire in

Common phrases: burn in the colors, burn something in