go up in smoke
/ɡoʊ ʌp ɪn smɔk/ · goʊ ʌp ɪn smɔk
verb
- To be destroyed or ruined, often suddenly or unexpectedly. The company's financial troubles caused their project to go up in smoke.
noun
- A situation or plan that has been ruined or destroyed. The team's chances of winning the game went up in smoke after their star player got injured.
Did you know? The phrase 'go up in smoke' is often associated with the idea of something being lost or destroyed due to a lack of funding or resources, much like a fire consuming a building.