end in smoke
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review.
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
tiêu tan
(verb) to go to pot; to dissipate; to be brought to ruin; to be reduced to ashes; to end in smoke; to turn to dust and ashes
Tiếng Việt
Near equivalent
turn to dust
To decay or disintegrate completely
English · via tiêu tan
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “end in smoke” mean?
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Is “end in smoke” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“tiêu tan” (Tiếng Việt) — near equivalent.