peters out
Loses steam slowly
Peters out means to gradually diminish and eventually stop or fail.
Energy, enthusiasm, resources, or momentum can peter out: The trail petered out after a few miles.
Conversation petered out as the evening wore on.
The phrase suggests a slow fading rather than an abrupt end.
- fadeLose intensity gradually
- waneDecrease gradually
- run dryBecome completely depleted
- dry upLose moisture completely
- subsideDecrease in intensity
dwindle · decline · ebb · lose steam · melt away · fade away · decrease · dissipate · taper off · tail off · falter · come to nothing · die down · diminish · lessen · trail off · sputter · drop off
peters outintensifies
Increases in strength
builds up · escalates · surges · snowballs · picks up steam
peters outcuts off
Severs or interrupts
crashes · breaks off · climaxes · culminates · stops dead
peters outpersists
Carries on stubbornly
endures · keeps going · carries on · sustains · holds steady
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