GO UP IN FLAMES

{v. phr.} To burn; be destroyed by fire. 1. * /The house went up in flames./ * /The barn full of hay went up in smoke./ 2. Disappear; fail; not come true. * /Jane's hopes of going to college went up in smoke when her father lost his job./ * /The team's chances to win went up in smoke when their captain was hurt./