English

Noun

busted flush ‎(plural busted flushes)

1. (Britain, poker) A potential flush which ultimately was not filled.

   I thought I'd draw another spade, but I ended up with a busted flush.

2. (Britain, idiomatic) Anything which ends up worthless despite great potential.
   • 2004 May 2, Andrew Rawnsley, "Mission not accomplished," Guardian online (UK) (retrieved 14 Oct 2012):

     If this [Tony Blair] is such an utterly busted flush of a leader, why are so many Tories and their outriders so keen to have this Prime Minister gone before he can fight another election?