as in fails
to be unsuccessful
even at the reception, some were predicting that the marriage would flame out before the fancy china ever got used
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Recent Examples of flames out
Firefighters instead used heavy equipment to cover it with dirt to put the flames out.
—
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Our dream of going back to the moon and onto Mars and more distant worlds—not least to ensure our species’ survival before the sun flames out and engulfs most of the solar system—can be seen as just one more step in evolution’s long march.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Our dream of going back to the moon and onto Mars and more distant worlds—not least to ensure our species’ survival before the sun flames out and engulfs most of the solar system—can be seen as just one more step in evolution’s long march.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames out
Verb
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Board of Governors Chairman Alan Levine said states could pursue their own solutions if Congress fails to act, including potential interstate agreements designed to withstand antitrust challenges.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
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If that fails, there's room down toward the $260 200-day.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump has alluded to this possible dearth of popular support when asked about the possibility of backing Pahlavi to lead the country if the regime collapses.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
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That argument collapses under the slightest scrutiny.—
Randy Linville,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Nov. 2025
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Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Perfect Tom strikes out once again, not on the look but on the flavors.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This story folds into who the Broncos are.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
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The battery compartment has a latch that folds up to unscrew it when the battery needs changing but otherwise keeps it flat and out of the way during observation.—
Matt Morris,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The United States bombs Iran's nuclear facilities days later.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
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Page Six gets a Hollywood edition Papps declined last week to reveal what stories his reporters were chasing and what bombs the political columnists will throw in its first editions.—
Christopher Weber,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tape measure should be considered when setting the threshold — not just BMI, which misses the very obesity it’s meant to detect in Asian patients.—
Aditi Kantipuly,
STAT,
17 Mar. 2026
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Colossal’s Response Chief scientist Beth Shapiro said debate over definitions misses the broader conservation potential of the technology.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The difference is that, while Carolyn struggles to define herself against expectation, John has always obliged expectation.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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But some midseason struggles, and a shoulder injury kept him from establishing himself as a rookie starter.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flames out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames%20out. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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