What is another word for going in smoke?
Pronunciation: [ɡˌə͡ʊɪŋ ɪn smˈə͡ʊk] (IPA) 
Going in smoke is generally used when something is wasted or destroyed with little to no result. The phrase implies that effort, time, or money has gone to waste and vanished as smoke does. Several synonyms can be used instead of going in smoke to depict the failure or disappointment. For example, wasted, fruitless, futile, unsuccessful, or unproductive, each signifies that the outcome was not what was expected, and time or resources have gone to waste. Another potential synonym could be a dead end, indicating that despite our best efforts, we have arrived at a dead end with no further progress. Regardless of the synonym used, the sentiment behind the phrase remains the same, a feeling of frustration, and disappointment.
