go down in flames

G

go down in flames (idiom)
/ɡoʊ daʊn ɪn fleɪmz/

Meaning

• Experience a complete and utter failure.
• Fail or lose dramatically.
• Suffer a significant and public failure or defeat.
• To be destroyed by fire.
• To end suddenly and completely.
• Be utterly ruined or wrecked.

Example Sentences

1. Despite months of preparation, their business went down in flames after a major financial setback.
2. After news of yet another attack, the ongoing peace talks between the two countries will surely go down in flames.
3. The politician’s campaign went down in flames when a scandal surfaced right before the election.
4. His attempt to impress the audience went down in flames when he forgot his lines on stage.
5. The company’s expansion plans went down in flames due to unexpected legal issues.

Origin and History

The idiom “go down in flames” vividly conveys the notion of a spectacular and complete failure. Its origins are deeply rooted in military aviation history, particularly during the early to mid-20th century. This article delves into the various theories surrounding the origin of this phrase, its earliest recorded usage, and its evolution into common parlance.​

Aviation Origins in World War I and II

One prevalent theory traces the origin of “go down in flames” to World War I and II. During these conflicts, aircraft were often constructed from highly flammable materials like wood and canvas. When hit during aerial combat, these planes would frequently catch fire and plummet to the ground engulfed in flames, providing a literal depiction of the phrase. This dramatic imagery is believed to have transitioned into a metaphor for any endeavor that fails spectacularly.

Literal Interpretation and Evolution

The phrase also has a literal interpretation, describing buildings or structures being destroyed by fire. However, its application expanded over time to encompass metaphorical uses, symbolizing endeavors or plans that end disastrously. The vivid imagery of destruction and downfall made it a powerful expression for complete failures.

Earliest Recorded Usage

Determining the exact first appearance of “go down in flames” is challenging due to limited documentation. However, references suggest that the phrase was commonly used around 1915, particularly in the context of military aviation during World War I. This aligns with the period when aerial combat became more prevalent, and the imagery of burning aircraft would have been a familiar sight.

Alternative Theories and Expressions

While the aviation theory is widely accepted, some believe the phrase could have originated from general instances of catastrophic fires leading to destruction, not limited to aviation. Additionally, similar expressions like “go up in flames” share related imagery but may differ slightly in usage. “Go up in flames” typically refers to something being entirely consumed by fire, whereas “go down in flames” emphasizes the act of falling while burning, aligning more closely with the imagery of a crashing aircraft.

Country of Origin

Evidence suggests that the phrase was in use in both the United States and the United Kingdom during the 1940s. For instance, the related idiom “shoot down in flames,” meaning to destroy an argument or theory, is noted to have originated in Britain during the 1940s. Given the extensive involvement of both nations in aerial warfare during World War II, it is plausible that the idiom emerged concurrently in these English-speaking countries.

The idiom “go down in flames” encapsulates the dramatic imagery of fiery destruction, most notably associated with wartime aviation disasters. Its evolution from a literal description of burning aircraft to a metaphor for spectacular failure illustrates how language adapts vivid historical events into expressive figures of speech.

Synonyms

• crash and burn
• bite the dust
• meet a disastrous end
• go up in smoke

Variants

• go down in a blaze of flames
• went down in flames (past tense variation)
• going down in flames (present participle variation)

Down, Failure, Fire