torch, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

torch v.

1. (orig. US) to commit arson; to set on fire.

1931		Writer’s Digest Oct. 29 n.p.: I had just lit a match to torch the squib when I heard steps behind me [OED].
1979		F. Norman Too Many Crooks Spoil the Caper 34: The Gunstone outfit had torched more warehouses than the Luftwaffe in the London blitz.
1983		S. King Christine 419: He had torched plenty of cars in his time.
1996		K. Lette Mad Cows 226: Pay me or I’ll torch ya fuckin’ flat.
2000		P. Temple Dead Point (2008) [ebook] Their clubhouse was attacked [...] Or they torched the other lot’s place.
2005		B. Hare Urban Grimshaw 73: Got to torch the twocks, Chop. Fingerprints.
2007		C. Goffard Snitch Jacket 16: When he was depressed [...] he torched Dumpsters.
2012		T. Piccirilli Last Kind Words 173: [They] slowly skimmed off the top until they were so far in the red that they had to torch the place. It had been built up and burned down again under four names that I was aware of.
2019		M. Herron Joe Country [ebook] ‘[T]orch this place when we’re done’.
2020		D. Whish-Wilson Shore Leave 46: Ryan had wisely escaped in the stolen Torana, torching it south of the power station.
2021		Breen & Conlon Hitmen 219: ‘Someone else [...] who can douse the van [with petrol] and torch it’.
2023		F. Bill Back to the Dirt 7: [He] torched the villages where [ammo and food] were stored and hid.

2. (US) to sing emotionally charged love songs.

1935

M. Fulcher ‘Believe Me’ in Afro-American (Baltimore, MD) 27 Apr. 5/5: Ella Fitzgerald [...] torches torridly with Chick Webb.

3. to light a cigarette or cannabis cigarette.

1943		R.L. Bellem ‘Half-Size Homicide’ in Speed Detective Nov. 🌐 I covered my astonishment by torching a gasper.
1945		R.L. Bellem ‘Dead Don’t Dream’ in Hollywood Detective July 🌐 I torched a coffin nail.
2001		(con. 1981) A. Wheatle East of Acre Lane 65: Nunchaks had trouble torching his cigarette.
2008		A. Wheatle Dirty South 201: I [...] built a big-head. As I torched it I realised I had taken away everything Courtney Thompson had.
2013		T. Dorsey Riptide Ultra-Glide 59: Coleman torched the bone and exhaled a small cloud.

4. (US prison) to throw a Molotov cocktail into an inmate’s cell.

1992

Bentley & Corbett Prison Sl. 89: Barbeque also Torch ‘Em Burning an inmate by throwing a Molotov cocktail into his cell.

5. (US) to make one mourn for a lost love.

2023

(con. 1962) J. Ellroy Enchanters 36: [T]he one-night love that still torches me.

In derivatives

torched (adj.)

(US black) enduring unrequited love.

1935

M. Fulcher ‘Believe Me’ in Afro-American (Baltimore, MD) 2 Mar. 12/4: Taylor is still puh-lenty torched about this same Miss.

In phrases

torch (for) (v.)

1. (orig. US) to mourn a dead love affair; to offer unrequited love.

1930		J. Lait Gangster Girl 26: What are you torchin’ over?
1948		J.M. Cain Moth (1950) 317: She’s still torching for you?
1965		L. Bruce How to Talk Dirty 188: Torching for my ex-wife.

2. to lust after.

1999		J. Ellroy ‘My Life as a Creep’ in Destination: Morgue! (2004) 116: Women and girls scared me. [...] I torched for Fritz’s sister Heidi.
2001		(con. 1964–8) J. Ellroy Cold Six Thousand 7: She torched reciprocal. She left her doors open. She invited looks.

torch up (v.)

1. (US) to get drunk.

1926

(con. 1918) L. Nason Chevrons 99: What did Jake do, get torched up?

2. (drugs) to light a cannabis cigarette or pipe; thus to smoke marijuana.

1955		H. Braddy ‘Narcotic Argot Along the Mexican Border’ in AS XXX:2 88: TORCH UP, v. phr. To light up a marijuana cigarette.
1958		W. Motley Let No Man Write My Epitaph (1959) 121: ‘Torch up!’ Frankie said.
1971		E.E. Landy Underground Dict. (1972).
1982		(con. 1970) J.M. Del Vecchio 13th Valley (1983) 109: After they torch up a bowl be powerful mellow.

3. to light a cigarette.

1993

T. Jones Pugilist at Rest 6: We snapped open our brushed-chrome Zippos, torched up, and inhaled the first few drags, we shared the overmastering pleasure that tobacco can bring if you use it seldom and judiciously.