go down in flames

go down in flames

To fail spectacularly or to a great degree. Despite all the media hype, the major summer blockbuster went down in flames—hardly anyone went to see it while it was in theaters.
See also: down, flame, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go down in flames

 
1. Lit. [for a plane] to crash. The enemy fighter planes went down in flames, ending the battle. The pilot and crew went down in flames near the air-port.
2. . Fig. to fail spectacularly. The whole project went down in flames. Todd wentdown in flames in his efforts to win the heart of Marsha.
See also: down, flame, go
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

go down in flames

in. to fail spectacularly. (see also shoot someone down in flames, crash and burn.) The whole team went down in flames.
See also: down, flame, go
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • do (one) one better
  • go across
  • go over big
  • go over big (with someone)
  • go beet red
  • go down a treat
  • all the way down the line
  • go on a rampage
  • go on the rampage
  • go through the ceiling