PhrasesHub

Go down in flames

    Definitions

      • experience a complete and utter failure
        To describe an event or situation where someone or something fails spectacularly and without any hope of recovery or success

      • fail or lose dramatically
        To describe a defeat or failure that is particularly humiliating or devastating, often in a public or noticeable manner

    Examples of Go down in flames

    • The company's latest product launch went down in flames due to poor marketing strategies and negative customer feedback.

      The phrase "go down in flames" is used figuratively to describe a situation that has ended in complete failure or disaster. It originates from the image of an airplane crashing and burning, symbolizing the complete destruction and defeat of a project, product, or idea. In this example, the product launch is compared to a plane crashing, highlighting the severity and finality of the failure.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "go down in flames" is used to describe a catastrophic failure or defeat. It conveys a sense of complete and utter failure, often in a dramatic or public manner.

    This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing a failed business venture or project to a disastrous performance or competition. It can also be used figuratively to describe a personal failure or setback.

    In both meanings, the intention is to emphasize the severity and hopelessness of the failure, highlighting the dramatic and often destructive nature of the event.

    Origin of "Go down in flames"

    The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the literal meaning of a plane or vehicle "going down in flames" during a crash or accident. This literal meaning was then applied figuratively to describe any type of failure or defeat that was particularly devastating.

    Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from the military, where "going down in flames" was used to describe a plane or ship being shot down and crashing in a fiery manner. This usage then evolved to describe any type of catastrophic failure or defeat.

    Regardless of its origin, the idiom "go down in flames" has become a commonly used expression to convey the concept of a complete and utter failure.