Peter Out (Verb)
Meaning 1
End weakly; "The music just petered out--there was no proper ending".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The fireworks display started strong but eventually petered out into a few scattered sparks.
- Her energy and enthusiasm would peter out after a few days of hard work.
- The exciting plot twist began to peter out into a predictable and dull storyline.
- As the concert went on, the vocals seemed to peter out, and the instruments took over.
- The author's clever ideas began to peter out in the final chapters of the book.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Use up all one's strength and energy and stop working; "At the end of the march, I pooped out".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- After running the marathon, she finally petered out and needed a long rest.
- The singer's voice petered out towards the end of the three-hour concert.
- The workers petered out after days of digging in the hot sun.
- Our car's engine petered out on the side of the deserted highway.
- The team's energy petered out in the fourth quarter and they lost the game.