Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

peter out

phrasal verb
/ˈpiːtər aʊt/
Definition
To gradually diminish, fade, or come to an end.
Examples
  • After a few hours of hiking, their enthusiasm began to peter out.
  • The conversation started interestingly but soon began to peter out.
  • His energy seemed to peter out by the end of the day.
Meaning
This phrase is often used to describe a situation where something starts off strong but then loses momentum or intensity until it eventually stops.
Synonyms
  • fade
  • dwindle
  • weaken
  • die down