Up in Smoke — Meaning, Usage & Examples

What it means...

Lost or ruined completely.

When plans go up in smoke, everything you put in disappears with nothing to show.

People say it about money, hopes, or hard work.

Use it when…

When a carefully made plan falls apart suddenly and completely
When money or resources are wasted without any return
When an opportunity or dream is lost before it could be realized

Don’t confuse with...

"Down the Drain"

—

Wasted or lost with no return, often used for money or effort that produced nothing

"Go Up in Flames"

—

Being destroyed suddenly and dramatically, often with more intensity than going up in smoke

"Up in Smoke"

—

Being completely ruined or lost, especially plans or investments that fail entirely

Where you’ll hear it

You’ll hear the "Up in Smoke" idiom in real life — at work, in relationships, or in the media.

Work & Business

Corporate Issues

Years of brand building went up in smoke after the product safety scandal.

Relationships & Social Life

Family

A parent says the family holiday savings went up in smoke when the car needed emergency repairs.

Media & Everyday Life

News

The startup's funding went up in smoke after the lead investor pulled out at the last moment.

‹›

Use it like this

Here’s how to use "Up in Smoke" idiom naturally in real conversations, with real examples.

Work & Business

Raising Concerns

Colleague

The client just canceled the entire contract — six months of work.

You

That's devastating — all that effort going up in smoke. Let's debrief and learn what we can.

Relationships

Honest Conversations

Friend

I invested most of my savings into that project and it failed.

You

I'm so sorry — watching money go up in smoke like that is genuinely painful.

Everyday Conversations

Storytelling

Friend

Whatever happened to the travel plans you spent months organizing?

You

All went up in smoke — the airline collapsed and we couldn't rebook in time.

‹›

Last updated:

October 4, 2026

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