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go down in flames
/ɡoʊ daʊn ɪn fleɪmz/◆idiom
fail spectacularly
The startup went down in flames after losing its major investor.
The startup failed dramatically after losing its major investor.
informal
To fail completely and publicly in a dramatic or catastrophic way.
His attempt to impress the audience went down in flames when he forgot his lines.
His attempt to impress the audience failed completely when he forgot his lines.
The new product launch went down in flames due to poor planning.
The new product launch failed spectacularly due to poor planning.
This idiom is often used to describe a sudden and complete failure, especially in business, technology, or public performances.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use this idiom when describing a sudden, dramatic failure, especially in public or high-stakes situations.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While expressive, overusing this idiom can make your language sound dramatic or exaggerated.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originates from aviation, where a plane crashing and bursting into flames is a dramatic and complete failure. It has been used metaphorically since at least the mid-20th century.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe a sudden and public failure. It is often used in business, technology, and entertainment industries.
English Dictionary