[go] (up|down) in flames
1
to experience a complete failure or defeat, often accompanied by dramatic or disastrous consequences
- On May 1st, the proposal went down in flames.
- The company's ambitious expansion plans went up in flames when their major investor pulled out.
- The project is going up in flames due to mismanagement.
2
to be set on fire and burned completely, often causing a lot of damage or destruction
- The car crashed into a tree and went down in flames, leaving no survivors.
- The old house went up in flames after a faulty electrical wiring caused a fire.