To tail off is to diminish gradually, becoming smaller, weaker, or less frequent toward the end: Her voice tailed off as she realized no one was listening.
Sales might tail off after the holiday season, or enthusiasm might tail off as a project drags on.
The image is of something tapering like a tail—thick at the base, thinning to nothing.
1. gradual decline — taper, Narrow gradually toward point; dwindle (Decrease gradually over time); decrease (Become or make smaller); lessen (Reduce in degree); peter out · subside · ebb · wane · slacken · diminish · trail away · fall away · die down · wind down
2. fading away — fade, Lose intensity gradually; die away (Diminish to nothing); disappear (Pass from visibility); vanish (Cease to be visible); dissipate · evaporate · recede · wither · melt away · lose strength · dissolve · attenuate · die out · expire
Opposites
INTENSITY/MAGNITUDE CHANGEtail off ≠ pick up Lift and take; build up · ramp up · escalate · intensify · increase
MANNER OF CHANGEtail off ≠ spike Sharp rise or point; shoot up · skyrocket · plummet · plunge · crash
CONTINUATION VS. DECLINEtail off ≠ persist Continue firmly onward; continue · sustain · maintain · hold steady · keep up
Categories
diminishing: abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, ebb
Family
off, tail, tails, tailed, retailing, tailing, tailless, tailings, untailored
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- Top 100,000
- Profile
- Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G