to fail or end suddenly and completely.

We've seen two big mass-transit plans go down in flames in the last two years.

The idea of self-respect went up in flames a long time ago.

Related vocabulary: go up in smoke

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a plane that goes down in flames (= falls to the ground and burns)

• put someone off stride
• put someone off their stride
• put someone off the scent
• put someone on a collision course
• put someone on a pedestal
• put someone on edge
• put someone on the map
• put someone on the right track
• put someone on the shelf
• put someone on the spot
• put someone out of action
• put someone out of its misery
• put someone out of mind
• put someone out of misery
• put someone out of their misery
• put someone out of your mind
• put someone out to pasture
• put someone over knee
• put someone over the top
• put someone over your knee
• put someone's back up
• put someone's mind at ease
• put someone's mind at rest
• put someone's nose out of joint
• put someone through