tail off

British  

verb

1. (adverb, usually intr) to decrease or cause to decrease in quantity, degree, etc, esp gradually

   his interest in collecting stamps tailed off over the years

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tail off Idioms  

1. Also, tail away. Diminish gradually, subside, as in The fireworks tailed off into darkness. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

He added while past periods of technological change and advance showed potential for large productivity gains, these "can take decades to materialise and can also tail off surprisingly quickly".

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

My parents told me that was possible, but only if I made sacrifices, worked my tail off and dedicated everything I had to it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

"He'll rehab his tail off and get back to being healthy," Payton predicted.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Arteta has not been afraid to rest players, when last season he might have overplayed the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli and saw their late-season displays tail off.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

I suppose if she caught you just right, she could get the tail off you.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• abate
• curb
• curtail
• cut down
• decline
• depreciate
• deteriorate
• diminish
• drop
• drop off
• dwindle
• ease
• ebb
• fall off
• lessen
• lower
• reduce
• shrink
• sink
• slacken