light up a cigarette

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'light up a cigarette' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe someone smoking a cigarette, usually in the present tense. For example, "Jim stepped outside and lit up a cigarette."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

They wouldn't hesitate to light up a cigarette, either.

The New York Times

As the rain pours down, I light up a cigarette.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some even get to light up a cigarette out the back.

The Guardian

Even nonsmokers will feel the urge to light up a cigarette and pose moodily.

The New York Times - Food

"I just light up a cigarette and drink some caffeine, and it works.

The New York Times - Sports

In the foreground, a woman stands on the street in Paris, about to light up a cigarette.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

As the great Carlos Jobin strums out an introduction, Sinatra lights up a cigarette, coughs a little, and then delivers a faultless vocal performance telling the tale of Berlin's yearningly melancholic, yet romantic lyrics, immaculately.

The Guardian - Music

Today, though, she marches cheerily across Sam Eyde Street for all the world as if heading for the beach, sits on a bench, lights up a cigarette, and lifts her face to the light.

The Guardian

A man known as Hee gets off the first tractor and calmly lights up a cigarette as Sok Plok explains that he and his companions are members of the anti-logging Prey Lang Community Network PLC N).

The Guardian

If someone lights up a cigarette, anywhere within about 50 yards of you, everyone knows that immediately, whereas someone could be vaping right next to you and you'd hardly even notice it.

The Guardian

In one spot, the grandfather of the house shows up naked, while in another a little boy lights up a cigarette so he will be sent away from the table.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's action in a narrative, use "light up a cigarette" to quickly convey a sense of stress, contemplation, or rebellion.

Common error

Avoid using "light up a cigarette" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your descriptions with alternatives like "take a drag from a cigarette" or "puff on a cigarette" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light up a cigarette" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of igniting a cigarette, indicating the start of the smoking process. This is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Travel

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "light up a cigarette" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of igniting a cigarette. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase often conveys underlying themes of stress, contemplation, or habit. While alternatives like "spark a cigarette" and "fire up a cigarette" exist, the original phrase remains a straightforward and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a cigarette

Replaces "light up" with "spark", emphasizing the initial ignition.

fire up a cigarette

Uses "fire up" as a more informal and active alternative to "light up".

have a smoke

Focuses on the act of smoking rather than the lighting process.

draw on a cigarette

Highlights the action of inhaling from the cigarette after lighting it.

puff on a cigarette

Emphasizes the repeated action of taking puffs from the cigarette.

take a drag from a cigarette

Focuses on the inhalation aspect of smoking.

get a cigarette going

Describes the process of preparing and lighting a cigarette.

kindle a cigarette

Uses a more formal term, "kindle", for lighting.

ignite a cigarette

Replaces "light up" with the more scientific term "ignite".

start smoking a cigarette

More verbose alternative that explicitly states the beginning of smoking.

FAQs

How can I use "light up a cigarette" in a sentence?

You can use "light up a cigarette" to describe the action of starting to smoke, for example, "He paused, took out a cigarette, and "lit up a cigarette" before continuing his story."

What are some alternatives to "light up a cigarette"?

Alternatives include "fire up a cigarette", "spark a cigarette", or simply "have a smoke", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "light up a cigarette"?

Yes, "light up a cigarette" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the action of igniting a cigarette for smoking.

What does it mean to "light up a cigarette"?

To "light up a cigarette" means to ignite the end of a cigarette so that it can be smoked. It often implies a moment of contemplation, stress, or habit.