Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

go up in smoke

idiom

/ɡoʊ ʌp ɪn smoʊk/

Definition

To completely vanish or be destroyed, especially in a way that cannot be recovered.

Examples

After months of hard work, his project went up in smoke when the funding was cut.
All their plans for a vacation went up in smoke due to the sudden illness.
When the house burned down, all her belongings went up in smoke.

Meaning

This idiom is used to describe something that has completely failed or was lost without leaving any trace, often referring to plans, hopes, or material possessions.