Translation guide
Describes plans, hopes, or physical objects being destroyed by fire or failing completely.
Express that a plan, dream, or expectation has been ruined or come to nothing.
Literally 'become bubbles on water', meaning efforts or plans come to nothing. Very common and natural.
彼の夢は水の泡になった。
His dreams went up in smoke.
Casual expression meaning something becomes useless or a waste. Often used for plans or money.
せっかくの計画がパーになった。
Our carefully made plans went up in smoke.
Colloquial, slightly old-fashioned. Means a plan or event is ruined or cancelled.
Means something is spoiled or ruined. Can be used for plans, events, or efforts.
ミスで全てが台無しになった。
Everything went up in smoke because of a mistake.
Describe something being destroyed by fire, often quickly.
水の泡になる is the most standard and widely understood. パーになる is casual and often used for wasted effort or money. おじゃんになる is colloquial and slightly dated, but still common in speech.
努力が水の泡になった。
My efforts went up in smoke.
貯金がパーになった。
My savings went up in smoke.
旅行がおじゃんになった。
The trip went up in smoke.
The picnic went up in smoke because of the rain.
Intransitive verb meaning to burn out or be completely consumed by fire.
家が燃え尽きた。
The house went up in smoke.
Formal term for being destroyed by fire, often used in news reports.
倉庫が焼失した。
The warehouse went up in smoke.
Literally 'become ash', emphasizing complete destruction by fire.
書類はすべて灰になった。
All the documents went up in smoke.