go down in flames
English
editEtymology
editReferencing aeroplanes being shot down. Attested since the early 20th century.
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
editgo down in flames (third-person singular simple present goes down in flames, present participle going down in flames, simple past went down in flames, past participle gone down in flames)
- (idiomatic) To fail miserably and with long-term consequences.