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]

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Example Sentences

“It is perfectly possible that the indirect effects only feed through once and then fizzle out later.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

The Ebola outbreak could swell into the next great pandemic, or it could be contained and fizzle out, which is certainly the preferable option.

From Salon • May 20, 2026

Very few go on to successful big league careers, most just pop back and forth between the minors and majors, move from team to team, while many just fizzle out.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2025

Leaders in the NBC newsroom, convinced that election year audiences deserved to hear a perspective from conservatives like Ms. McDaniel, believed the hubbub would fizzle out.

From New York Times • Mar. 26, 2024

They fly smoky circles around my head and then fizzle out.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

Related Words

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