Phrase guide

go up in smoke

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To catch fire and burn.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: go up in flames, catch on fire, catch fire, combust, conflagrate, fire, go up in smoke, ignite, light, spunk, take fire

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be completely ruined, devastated, or reduced to nothingness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: evaporate
  • When the bank refused the credit, all our plans went up in smoke.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: burn down, burn up, come to nothing, end in smoke, go up in flames, evaporate

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: gå op i røg — catch fire
  • Dutch: in rook opgaan — catch fire
  • Finnish: palaa poroksi — catch fire
  • French: partir en fumée — catch fire
  • Italian: andare in fumo — catch fire
  • Italian: prendere fuoco — catch fire
  • Polish: iść z dymem — catch fire
  • Polish: pójść z dymem — catch fire
  • Russian: загоре́ться (zagorétʹsja) — catch fire
  • Swedish: gå upp i rök — catch fire
  • Swedish: gå upp i lågor — catch fire
  • Danish: gå op i røg — be ruined
  • Dutch: in rook opgaan — be ruined
  • Finnish: haihtua savuna ilmaan — be ruined
  • Hungarian: füstbe megy — be ruined
  • Italian: andare in fumo — be ruined
  • Polish: iść z dymem — be ruined
  • Polish: pójść z dymem — be ruined
  • Portuguese: virar fumaça — be ruined
  • Russian: пойти́ пра́хом (pojtí práxom) — be ruined
  • Spanish: quedar en agua de borrajas — be ruined
  • Swedish: gå upp i rök — be ruined