go up in smoke
go up in smoke or go up in flames {v. phr.}
1. To burn; be destroyed by fire.
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.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
