on the wane
Past its peak
On the wane describes something declining or decreasing after reaching its peak.
The phrase comes from the moon's waning phase, when it appears to shrink from full to new.
It applies to anything past its height: His popularity was on the wane, Interest in the fad is on the wane.
The opposite is on the wax.
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
- subsidingDecreasing in intensity
- decliningDecreasing in strength
- recedingMoving away from observer
- diminishingBecoming progressively less
going downhill · lessening · losing steam · supplanted · tapering · ebbing · fading · fading away · petering out · superseded · slumping · shrinking · losing ground · withering · evaporating · eroding · weakening · deteriorating
- declinedecline, in decline, decrease, downswing, diminish
growth/increase vs. decline
on the waneon the rise
Becoming greater or more
waxing · growing · rising · increasing · ascending
vigor/strength
on the waneflourishing
Prospering vigorously
thriving · booming · strengthening · surging · blossoming