Go Up In Flames/smoke Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms - What does Go Up In Flames/smoke Idiom mean?

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

go up in flames/smoke What does go up in flames/smoke mean?	to burn or be destroyed by fire, to fail, to not come true (dreams)	The waiter's plans to open a new restaurant went up in smoke after he lost his job.
	Some Random Idioms
take (someone) under one`s wing/wings What does "take (someone) under one`s wing/wings" mean?	to protect and help someone	The supervisor took the new employee under his wing and began to teach him about the company.
power of attorney What does "power of attorney" mean?	a legal document granting authority for one person to act as another's representative	The woman was given power of attorney over her mother's business.
to be sure What does "to be sure" mean?	without a doubt, certainly	"To be sure it would be better to talk to the store manager rather than the clerk."
mellow out What does "mellow out" mean?	relax; calm down
ask for trouble What does "ask for trouble" mean?	to behave in a way that trouble is likely	The boy is asking for trouble if he misses another class.
a free hand What does "a free hand" mean?	great freedom to do something	We had a free hand to design the sport`s program for the university.
by the skin of one`s teeth What does "by the skin of one`s teeth" mean?	by a very small margin, barely	I arrived at the train station and was on time by the skin of my teeth.
big cheese/gun/wheel What does "big cheese/gun/wheel" mean?	an important person, a leader	The new director was a big wheel in his previous company.
know (someone or something) like the back/palm of one's hand What does "know (someone or something) like the back/palm of one's hand" mean?	to know someone or something very well	The taxi driver knows the city like the back of his hand.
crap What does "crap" mean?	nonsense; rubbish; foolish talk or ideas
What have you been up to? What does "What have you been up to?" mean?	What have you been doing?	"What have you been up to?", I asked my sister when I saw her.

American Idioms and Expressions

Go Up In Flames/smoke Idiom