burn with envy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burn with envy" is a correct and commonly used English expression.
It describes a feeling of intense jealousy or resentment towards someone else's success or possessions. You can use "burn with envy" in any situation where someone is experiencing jealousy or envy. For example: - She couldn't help but burn with envy when she saw her sister driving a brand new car. - The other competitors were burning with envy as the champion raised the trophy in victory. - As soon as the new CEO announced his million-dollar salary, the employees began to burn with envy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has a poet's eye, and a prose style that will make many a novelist burn with envy.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Somewhere, Elliott Carter burns with envy).

The New Yorker

I watched with envy.

The New Yorker

Chris Paul chirped with envy.

The New York Times

Rachel groaned with envy.

The New Yorker

Green with envy".

The New York Times

Their foreign rivals are green with envy.

The Economist

Franzen, too, is familiar with envy.

Independent

Bellow's talent fills Atlas with envy.

The New York Times - Books

Why look back with envy?

The New York Times

I read with awe, with envy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burn with envy" to vividly portray intense jealousy, particularly when highlighting the emotional impact on the subject. This phrase adds a dramatic flair to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "burn with envy" in situations where mild admiration is more appropriate. The phrase suggests a powerful and potentially negative emotional response, so reserve it for scenarios where the jealousy is truly consuming.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burn with envy" functions as a descriptive idiom. Ludwig AI indicates that it expresses a feeling of intense jealousy or resentment. The examples provided showcase its use in describing a character's or person's emotional state when confronted with another's success or advantage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burn with envy" is a correct and expressive idiom used to describe a strong feeling of jealousy or resentment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it appears mostly in neutral contexts such as news and media, signaling its suitability for general use when conveying intense envy. To ensure clarity and impact, reserve this phrase for situations where the jealousy is a truly consuming emotion. Consider utilizing alternatives like "be green with envy" or "feel envious" for milder cases. Use the phrase to add a vivid and emotional touch to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be green with envy

A common idiom expressing envy, focusing on the outward manifestation of the emotion.

feel envious

A straightforward expression of the feeling of envy.

be jealous

A general term for feeling resentment towards someone else's advantages.

be consumed by jealousy

This alternative emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of jealousy.

be eaten up with envy

Highlights the destructive nature of envy.

resent someone's success

Focuses on the specific cause of the negative feeling.

seethe with jealousy

Conveys a sense of inner turmoil and suppressed anger.

grudge someone their good fortune

Implies a reluctance to accept someone else's positive situation.

covet someone's possessions

Specifically refers to desiring what someone else owns.

have a strong desire for

Emphasizes the intensity of wanting what someone else has, omitting the negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "burn with envy" in a sentence?

You can use "burn with envy" to describe a feeling of intense jealousy or resentment. For example, "She couldn't help but "burn with envy" when she saw her sister's new car".

What does it mean to "burn with envy"?

To "burn with envy" means to experience a strong and painful feeling of jealousy or resentment towards someone else's success, advantages, or possessions.

What can I say instead of "burn with envy"?

Alternatives to "burn with envy" include phrases like "be green with envy", "feel envious", or "be consumed by jealousy".

Is "burn with envy" an overused phrase?

While not overused, "burn with envy" is a strong expression. Using it sparingly and in contexts where the jealousy is truly intense will maximize its impact. Consider more subtle alternatives like "feel a pang of envy" in less dramatic scenarios.