go up in smoke
Meaning
To be destroyed suddenly, fail completely, or disappear (often plans, money, or hopes), as if burning away.
Origin
From the literal image of something burning and turning into smoke, leaving nothing behind. By the 1800s it was used figuratively for plans or hopes being ruined or vanishing.
Notes
Used for literal burning or figurative loss/failure (plans, money, chances). Slightly dramatic; implies nothing is left after the setback.
Examples
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All our vacation plans went up in smoke when the flight was canceled.
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Years of research went up in smoke after the hard drive crashed.
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Their chances of winning went up in smoke once their star player got injured.
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The deal went up in smoke when the lawyers couldnβt agree on the terms.
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His savings went up in smoke after he fell for an online investment scam.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as βgoes/went up in smokeβ or β(something) went up in smoke.β Subject is what is lost (plans, savings). Can be literal (fire) or figurative; fairly fixed wording.
Synonyms
- come to nothing
- fall through
- be ruined
- go down the drain
- be wiped out
Antonyms
- work out
- come to fruition
- pan out
- succeed