send something up in smoke 化为乌有
【讲解】
从字面上理解,该习语的意思是“把某物送到较高处,像烟一样消失”,由此引申为“化为乌有,希望渺茫”。
【对话】
A:How do you plan to spend your holiday?
A:你打算怎样过假期?
B:I had thought of going to Europe for a month.
B:我本想到欧洲旅游一个月。
A:Good idea!
A:好主意!
B:But my failure in the final exam will send everything up in smoke.
B:可我期末考试没及格,一切打算都化为鸟有了。