go down in flames
Meaning
To fail spectacularly and publicly, often suddenly, with obvious embarrassment or consequences.
Origin
From aviation and warfare imagery: an aircraft hit and crashing while burning. The vivid picture became a metaphor for a dramatic, catastrophic failure in any endeavor.
Notes
Suggests a dramatic, often public and embarrassing failure; slightly harsh/colloquial. Implies things collapse visibly. Avoid in contexts involving real tragedies (crashes, deaths).
Examples
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The startup went down in flames after a major data breach scared off investors.
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His plan to cut costs went down in flames when the staff threatened to quit.
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The senatorβs campaign went down in flames after the scandal broke.
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Our attempt to fix the server during peak hours went down in flames and made things worse.
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She tried to bluff her way through the interview, but it went down in flames when they asked for specifics.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Used as a verb phrase: go/went/goes down in flames; also gerund/infinitive (going to go down in flames). Usually with subject = person/plan/project. Can add adverbs (really).
Synonyms
- fail spectacularly
- crash and burn
- fall flat
- flop
- bomb
Antonyms
- succeed
- triumph
- go smoothly
- pull it off
- win