Meaning
To ‘go down in flames‘ is used to describe a complete and total failure; to fail spectacularly. To be utterly ruined or wrecked. When something ends suddenly and completely.
Example
The Olympic Committee went down in flames when an inside member of the organization exposed corruption and bribery.
The company went down in flames after the CEO was caught with fraud. He has since resigned his position at the company.
Relationships within the family went down in flames when all efforts for an intervention failed.
This emergency operation will go down in flames unless our safety objectives are secure.
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they’re also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can’t learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
