Go ballistic leaving bigot with smashed flowers (6)

I believe the answer is:

lilacs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'flowers' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Purple flowers ' mean 'lilacs' so perhaps 'flowers' could also mean 'lilacs')

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lilacs that I've seen before include "Purple flowers" , "Bloomers" , "Large fragrant flowers of white and mauve" , "Whitman topic" , "trees" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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