go up in flames
The phrase "go up in flames" can describe both literal destruction by fire and metaphorical failure.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To be completely destroyed by fire.
Example
- The old warehouse went up in flames last night.
- Their house went up in flames due to an electrical fault.
B2Figurative
(idiomatic)To fail suddenly and dramatically.
Example
- All their hard work went up in flames when the project was canceled.
- His dreams of becoming a professional athlete went up in flames after the injury.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "go up in flames":
go up in smokeflame upburn upflame outcatch fireset on fireburn downblaze upscorch upflare upblaze downtake fireblow upgo to poton firefizzle outgo upburn inburn outdie in a firego belly-upgo to shitset alightgo to piecesfire outhot upburn awayfall upflare outback fireburst upblaze awayfire upsparks flygo awryhit the roofgob upblaze of gloryspark up