fizzle out

Idioms  

1. Fail, end weakly, especially after a hopeful beginning. For example, The enthusiasm for reform has fizzled out in this state. The word fizzle dates from the early 1500s and meant “to break wind without making noise.” Later it was applied to hissing noises, such as those made by wet fireworks, and then to any endeavor that ends in disappointment. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fizzle out

But as the movie awkwardly pivots to weighty themes like forgiveness, honor and grief, the initial sparks of subversiveness fizzle out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Kris was determined the prank he'd invested so much time and energy into wouldn't just fizzle out.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

While several industry experts told MarketWatch that controversies over advertisements tend to fizzle out in the medium term, there’s always a chance that damage to its brand could linger.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

"When that happens, triplets easily fizzle out before they ever meet. Molecules must be close enough for energy to transfer but separated enough to prevent quenching of excitons."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026

Slowly the bits of anger that were still floating around inside me fizzle out like flat soda.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• deteriorate
• disappear
• end
• expire
• fail
• fall
• pass
• stop
• vanish

---