damp squib

American  

noun

British Informal.

1. something meant but failing to impress or succeed.

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Etymology

Origin of damp squib

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Guardiola's 100th Champions League match as City boss was a damp squib, in stark contrast to so many of the previous 99, which includes 62 wins and the club's maiden European crown in 2023.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

But the much-anticipated showdown between two Heisman-candidate quarterbacks and national championship-quality teams had been a damp squib over the first two quarters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 28, 2025

She described the Edinburgh Reforms as a "damp squib", due to "the lack of progress or economic impact."

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2023

Trepidation about the speech largely explains why renewed buzz about artificial intelligence after this week's blowout Nvidia results ended up being such as a damp squib on Thursday.

From Reuters • Aug. 25, 2023

So the third French expedition had gone off like a damp squib!

From My Lords of Strogue Vol. III, (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis