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

Now Frank is out of the Cup following the latest damp squib in the former Brentford manager's wretched first season in charge.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

It's no mean feat, albeit both were a damp squib with Scotland wheezing their way to an early exit on each occasion without really landing a punch on, well, anyone.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 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

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

"No you don't," said the dragon in a spluttering voice, like a damp squib.

From The Book of Dragons by Fell, H. Granville