go up in smoke

idiomPart ofsmoke

go up in smoke — idiom

1. To be completely destroyed by fire (literal) or to fail completely with no resul

1.idiom
Definition

To be completely destroyed by fire (literal) or to fail completely with no result achieved, especially regarding plans, hopes, or efforts (figurative).

Example

The workshop went up in smoke in less than an hour, leaving only a pile of ashes.

All of Sari's savings went up in smoke when the investment company closed without warning.