in flames

See also: inflames and inflamés

English

Etymology

By analogy with fighter planes being shot down and bursting into flames.

Prepositional phrase

(figuratively, with a verb) Dramatically and with no hope of recovery.

Usage notes

Chiefly used in constructions such as "go down in flames" and "shoot down in flames", often in the passive voice

Anagrams

flamines, misfalne

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