barnburner

== English == === Alternative forms === barn burner === Etymology === From barn +‎ burner, from the idea of burning down a barn to get rid of a rat infestation. === Pronunciation === === Noun === barnburner (plural barnburners) (Midland US, idiomatic) A sensationally exciting or successful event or person. (slang, chiefly Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland) A strike-anywhere match. Synonym: lucifer (Britain, archaic) Antonym: safety match (literal) One who burns down a barn. ==== Related terms ==== barnstormer ==== See also ==== (exciting event): cliffhanger