go down in flames

== English == === Etymology === The 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. === Pronunciation === === Verb === go 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. Synonym: crash and burn Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see go,‎ down,‎ in,‎ flames: descend while aflame, crash and burn, etc. Near-synonym: crash and burn ==== Related terms ====