Significado
To result in complete failure.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects a certain Russian fatalism. It is often used with a sigh, acknowledging that despite great effort, external forces or 'fate' can destroy everything. The word 'прах' is heavily used in funeral services ('Earth to earth, ashes to ashes'). This gives the phrase a solemn, almost sacred weight in literature. Many Russians use this to describe the 1990s, when the entire social and economic system of the USSR 'went to dust' almost overnight. In the fast-paced tech world of Moscow, this phrase is used for failed startups, often with a touch of irony.
Use it for drama
If you want to sound like a native who is really upset about a failure, this is your go-to phrase.
Watch the gender
Always check if your subject is masculine (пошёл), feminine (пошла), or plural (пошли).
Significado
To result in complete failure.
Use it for drama
If you want to sound like a native who is really upset about a failure, this is your go-to phrase.
Watch the gender
Always check if your subject is masculine (пошёл), feminine (пошла), or plural (пошли).
News reading
Look for this phrase in Russian economic news; it's very common when describing market crashes.
The 'Sigh' factor
Often preceded by 'Эх...' or 'Ну вот...' to express resignation.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'пойти' and the word 'прах'.
Из-за санкций все наши инвестиции ______ ______.
The subject 'инвестиции' is plural, so the verb must be 'пошли'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'пойти прахом'?
Выберите ситуацию:
The phrase is used for significant, total failures.
Match the subject with the correct verb form.
Соотнесите:
This tests gender and number agreement.
Complete the dialogue.
— Почему ты такой грустный? — Моя мечта стать актёром ______ ______.
'Мечта' is feminine singular.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Failure Levels
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosИз-за санкций все наши инвестиции ______ ______.
The subject 'инвестиции' is plural, so the verb must be 'пошли'.
Выберите ситуацию:
The phrase is used for significant, total failures.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
This tests gender and number agreement.
— Почему ты такой грустный? — Моя мечта стать актёром ______ ______.
'Мечта' is feminine singular.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
14 preguntasNo, it is perfectly polite and neutral. It can be used in any setting.
No, that would be 'обратиться в прах' or 'превратиться в прах', but 'пойти прахом' is for abstract things like plans.
'Не получиться' just means it didn't work. 'Пойти прахом' means it failed completely and all effort was wasted.
Yes, it's a common way to warn someone about a potential disaster.
Yes, very often, especially when talking about bankruptcy or failed investments.
No, this phrase is strictly for failure. For success, you might say 'увенчаться успехом'.
It's like the 'ch' in 'Bach' or 'Loch'. It's a breathy sound at the back of the throat.
Only if you are being very dramatic or if the phone contained your only copy of a thesis.
It's equally common in both, though slightly more frequent in written journalism.
In modern Russian, 'прах' is almost exclusively used in this idiom or when referring to funeral remains.
It is the instrumental case (творительный падеж).
Yes, that's the imperfective form, used for a failure that is happening right now.
No, it's a standard idiom (фразеологизм).
The word 'планы' (plans) is by far the most common subject.
Frases relacionadas
пойти коту под хвост
synonymTo go to waste.
накрыться медным тазом
synonymTo fail suddenly.
разлететься вдребезги
similarTo shatter into pieces.
остаться у разбитого корыта
builds onTo be left with nothing after having much.
