Pronunciation: [ɹɪdjˈuːsɪz tʊ ˈaʃɪz] (IPA) 
The phrase "reduces to ashes" is spelled /rəˈdjuːsɪz tə ˈæʃɪz/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The word "reduces" is pronounced with a short "u" sound (/ʌ/), followed by a long "oo" sound (/uː/) and an "s" sound (/s/). "To" is pronounced with a short "o" sound (/ɒ/), and "ashes" is pronounced with a short "a" sound (/æ/), followed by a "sh" sound (/ʃ/) and an "es" sound (/ɪz/).
The phrase "reduces to ashes" refers to the complete and thorough destruction of an object or substance through the process of burning, resulting in the conversion of the material into fine, powdery remains known as ashes. This figurative expression emphasizes a state of utter devastation, where the object in question has been incinerated to the point of complete disintegration or annihilation.
When an item or substance "reduces to ashes," it implies that it has undergone a transformative process due to intense heat, typically caused by fire. As a result, all that remains is a gray or black residue consisting of the mineral components that were originally present within the material. This transformation signifies the irreversible reduction of the object's physical structure and functional properties into a form that is no longer recognizable or useful in its original state.
The phrase "reduces to ashes" can also be used metaphorically to describe the complete destruction or annihilation of something beyond repair, often in a non-literal sense. It implies an irreversible and devastating downfall, where all that once existed or held value has crumbled or been obliterated. This expression conveys a sense of finality and emphasizes the profound and irreversible nature of the transformation or destruction being described.
