be blown to kingdom come

slang "Kingdom come," a phrase taken from the Lord's Prayer, refers to heaven or the afterlife.

1. To be killed by gunfire or an explosion. The infantry was blown to kingdom come by the enemy's mounted machine gun. I've heard there are still landmines around here, so we'll have to be careful. One wrong step and we'll be blown to kingdom come! The robber waved his gun and told us we'd be blown to kingdom come if we didn't stay back.

2. To be destroyed or obliterated by an explosion. The giant boulder was blown to kingdom come by about 10 tons of dynamite. I wish I could still go visit our old family home, but it's already been blown to kingdom come by the demolition crew. The gunpowder stored below somehow ignited, and the entire ship was blown to kingdom come.