in flames
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in flames
Of a failure, spectacularly and permanently. Used in the phrases "down in flames" and "up in flames." My campaign speech went down in flames after I forgot everything I had rehearsed and just stood on stage sweating. If we don't get that shipment by Monday, our whole business plan will go up in flames.
See also: flame
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.