peter out

Idioms and Phrases

Dwindle or diminish and come to an end, as in Their enthusiasm soon petered out . The origin of this usage is unknown, but one authority suggests it may refer to the apostle Peter, whose enthusiastic support of Jesus quickly diminished so that he denied knowing him three times during the night after Jesus's arrest. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

By doing that, Bratton has said publicly, he expects that eventually the protests will “peter out on their own.”

From The Daily Beast

Before Christmas, though, she began to peter out 'n' git slack-twisted.

From Project Gutenberg

In towns, cities an' sich places yer nat'ral senses peter out.

From Project Gutenberg

Then stores began to fail, including soap and kerosene, and writing-paper and ink threatened to "peter out."

From Project Gutenberg

But he is good looking and they say he has money, and anyway, the Eustaces won't peter out in old maids.

From Project Gutenberg

He'll have to pass you somewhere, because Elijah will begin to peter out after he's gone half a mile.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abate
• die out
• ebb
• evaporate
• fade
• recede
• tail away
• tail off
• taper off
• wane