# go down in flames

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/go-down-in-flames
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To fail miserably and with long-term consequences.

## Examples

- His big business idea went down in flames.
- The project went down in flames after the team missed every deadline and lost their main investor.
- Despite his ambitious promises to reform the department, his entire strategy went down in flames when the audit revealed massive financial mismanagement.

## Origin

From aerial combat in the World Wars: aircraft shot down would crash burning. (disputed)

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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.