Go down in flames

Meaning

The idiom "go down in flames" means to fail or end up in a complete disaster. It's a figurative expression that refers to the sudden and total destruction of something, usually a person or an organization. The phrase suggests a dramatic and violent end, like a plane crashing or a building burning down.

Usage

• The company went down in flames after the CEO resigned unexpectedly.
• Despite his best efforts, the actor's career went down in flames after a series of flops.
• The athlete was known for his incredible skill and charisma, but he went down in flames after being involved in a high-profile scandal.
• The city was hit hard by a natural disaster that left many people homeless and destroyed entire neighborhoods.
• Despite the hype and excitement surrounding the new product, it went down in flames when customers found out it was not worth the price.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom is not entirely clear, but one theory suggests that it comes from the ancient Greek myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell into the sea, causing his wax wings to melt. Another theory comes from the use of fireworks, which were once used to create spectacular displays during celebrations, but could also have catastrophic consequences if they malfunctioned or got out of control. Over time, the idiom has taken on a more general meaning and is now used in a variety of contexts, including business, politics, and sports. In recent years, there has been some debate about the appropriateness of using this phrase to describe the failure of marginalized groups or individuals, as it can be seen as reinforcing negative stereotypes about their abilities or choices.

Synonyms in English

• Crash and burn
• Go downhill
• Fizzle out
• Collapse
• Flop

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Faire du feu" (to make a fire) or "Tout brûler" (to burn everything)
• Spanish: "Irse de cabeza" (to go crazy) or "Rastro de fuego" (fire trail)
• German: "Geschehen einer Katastrophe" (the occurrence of a catastrophe) or "Einen Schlaganfall haben" (to have a stroke)
• Italian: "Scendere in fiamme" (to go down in flames) or "Trascinarsi sul piano" (to drag oneself on the ground)
• Japanese: "化れる" (to transform) or "消える" (to disappear)

Similar Idioms

• green around the gills

• get the wrong end of the stick

• good grief