busted flush

The phrase "busted flush" is a colloquial expression that is often used to describe a person or thing that has failed or lost its potential. It originates from poker, where a busted flush refers to a hand in which a player attempted to make a flush (a hand with five cards of the same suit), but failed to complete it. In a broader context, the phrase implies disappointment, failure, or something that did not live up to expectations.