# end in smoke

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/end-in-smoke
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be destroyed or ruined; to go up in smoke.

## Examples

- His big plans for the summer ended in smoke.
- After the investor pulled out at the last minute, all our dreams for the new business ended in smoke.
- Despite years of meticulous preparation and significant financial investment, the ambitious project ultimately ended in smoke when the primary technology failed during the final demonstration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.