Context

This line is from the song "Set Fire to the Rain," written by Adele and Fraser T. Smith, from the album 21 (2011).

Sometimes you just need a good breakup song, and "Set Fire to the Rain" is it. This tune is all about moving on after the end of a relationship. Adele takes a little walk down memory lane and then she "set[s] fire to the rain." Whoa. Is it getting hot in here or is it just us?

One way to see this image is that Adele is figuratively drying her tears (i.e., rain) with fire. That's one way to get rid of them. It's time to move on and she's done feeling all this sorrow and sadness. She's not getting back with this guy (he's kind of a jerk anyway, per the song), so it's time to stop the waterworks. This relationship is over. It's done. It's up in smoke. Nothing's gonna rise out of these ashes.

Good riddance, we say.

Where you've heard it

This phrase isn't too widely used outside of Adele's song, so you'll probably hear it belted out on karaoke nights by singers who've just been through terrible, horrible, no good, very bad breakups.

Danielle Bradbery (one of the winners of The Voice) covered this song and it's actually really beautiful.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Announcing that you will set fire to the rain is a bit grandiose and may get you a few strange looks at your next dinner party. Unless you happen to be doing your best Adele impression while quoting this, you might want to steer clear.