THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Go down in flames
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To fail spectacularly.
Usage note: keep in mind
Go down in flames is a dramatic, informal description of failing badly, often publicly. Use went down in flames for the past. It is stronger than simply not succeeding and can sound harsh when describing another person's effort.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Their attempt to start a restaurant went down in flames after just three months.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To fail spectacularly.
Show the answer
Go down in flames — To fail spectacularly.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Go down in flames” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To fail spectacularly.
Compare: Their attempt to start a restaurant went down in flames after just three months.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
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More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- Our proposal went down in flames when every committee member voted against it.
- The fictional candidate's campaign went down in flames after a disastrous debate.
Check your understanding
Would a small, easily corrected spelling error normally justify saying the whole project went down in flames?
Check your answer
No. That would usually exaggerate the problem. The idiom suggests a major or conspicuous failure, not a minor setback.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where go down in flames fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.