shoot down in flames
Meaning: To reject or destroy an idea or argument completely.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “I suggested a four-day week, and the board shot it down in flames.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From aerial combat in the World Wars, where an enemy plane was shot down burning. The figurative use for crushing an idea is from the mid-20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Battre en brèche — literally: To beat into a breach
More idioms — Daily Life
- rough around the edges — Lacking polish or refinement, though basically good.
- smoke the peace pipe — To make peace after a quarrel.
- seize the day — Make the most of the present moment.
- bow and scrape — To behave in an overly humble or flattering way toward someone powerful.
- jump ship — To abandon a group or cause, often for a rival.
- left on the shelf — To be considered too old to marry; more generally, to be passed over.
More English idioms
- set tongues wagging — To cause people to gossip.
- give free rein — To give someone complete freedom to act.
- take with a grain of salt — To be skeptical about something; not to take it entirely at face value.
- Caesar's wife must be above suspicion — People in prominent positions must avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing.
- the game is not worth the candle — The effort or cost is greater than the reward.
- be a third wheel — To be an unwanted extra person with a couple.