go down in flames
go down in flames · goes down in flames · went down in flames · gone down in flames · going down in flames
To fail miserably and with long-term consequencesTo fail miserably and with long-term consequences.
Meaning
2 senses(idiomatic)To fail miserably and with long-term consequences.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see go, down, in, flames: descend while aflame, crash and burn, etc.
Near-synonym: crash and burn
Origin
The figurative sense is by metaphor from the literal sense. Attested since the early 20thThe figurative sense is by metaphor from the literal sense. Attested since the early 20th century, ever since aeroplanes appeared but especially since World War I, when shooting them out of the sky first became a widespread thing.
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Forms
goes down in flames, going down in flames, went down in flames, gone down in flames| Base form | go down in flames · to go down in flames |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | goes down in flames |
| Present participle | going down in flames |
| Past simple | went down in flames |
| Past participle | gone down in flames |
irregular · Lesson
Synonyms
1 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle