blow up in face

blow up in someone's face 

1. Lit. to blow up or explode suddenly. The bomb blew up in the terrorist's face. The firecracker blew up in his face and injured him.

2. Fig. [for something] to get ruined while someone is working on it. All my plans blew up in my face. It is terrible for your life to get ruined and blow up in your face.

See also: blow, face, up

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blow up/explode in somebody's face

if a plan or situation blows up in your face, it has a bad effect on you instead of the result you expected The government's attempts at reform have blown up in its face, with demonstrations taking place all over the country.

See also: blow, face, up

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blow up in your face also explode in your face

to unexpectedly fail The military does not rush into a situation that could blow up in their faces. Carey's efforts to explain the need for staff reductions exploded in his face.

Related vocabulary: have egg on your face

See also: blow, face, up