the wheels fall off / come off

What is the origin of the idiom "the wheels fall off" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "the wheels fall off" is related to the malfunction of a car or other vehicle, where if a wheel becomes loose or falls off, the vehicle will quickly become immobile and unable to function as intended. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more generally to describe any situation where a plan, project, or situation that was previously successful suddenly fails or falls apart completely.