The idiom "did a slow burn" refers to someone becoming increasingly angry or upset over a period of time. The spelling of this phrase can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription: /dɪd ə sloʊ bɜrn/. The initial sound is a voiced dental plosive /d/, followed by a short vowel sound /ɪ/. The second word begins with a schwa sound /ə/. The next two words contain a long vowel sound /oʊ/ and a mid-central vowel sound /ɜ/. The final word ends with an unvoiced alveolar nasal /n/.
The phrase "did a slow burn" refers to a state of increasing and simmering anger or frustration over a prolonged period. It signifies a gradual accumulation of irritation, suppressed emotions, or perceived injustices that gradually intensify over time. The phrase often implies that the person experiencing the slow burn is attempting to control or conceal their anger, allowing it to build up internally.
The term stems from the imagery of a fire that starts small but gradually grows in size and intensity as fuel is added. Similarly, the person "doing a slow burn" may start off mildly bothered but eventually becomes increasingly angry or agitated due to a persistent source of irritation or perceived offense.
This phrase is commonly used in colloquial language to describe situations where someone reluctantly tolerates a frustrating or unfair circumstance, but their anger steadily mounts as time passes. It suggests a situation where the individual is attempting to maintain composure but is struggling to contain their seething emotions. When someone "does a slow burn," it often signifies that they are reaching a boiling point and may ultimately explode with anger if the situation persists or worsens.
Overall, "doing a slow burn" captures the gradual, non-explosive, but steadily building anger that a person experiences, highlighting the need for a release or resolution to alleviate their mounting frustration.