PhrasesHub

Peter out

    Definitions

      • to gradually diminish
        Describe something that is fading or diminishing in intensity, such as a sound, a conversation, or a supply of something

      • to come to an end
        Refer to something that is ending or finishing, especially when it is happening slowly or in a disappointing manner

    Examples of Peter out

    • Sarah's energy petered out after a long day of work and household chores.

      This usage shows how the idiom can be applied to a person who becomes exhausted mentally or physically. "Peter out" means to gradually lose strength or energy, and in this example, Sarah's body and mind couldn't sustain their strength after a busy day.

    • The conversation between the two friends suddenly petered out as they ran out of things to say.

      This example shows that "peter out" can also be used to describe a conversation that stops suddenly and without warning. In this case, the idiom illustrates that the two friends' discussion had reached its end and could not continue any further.

    • The student's enthusiasm for learning the new subject petered out due to the lack of engaging teaching methods.

      In this example, "peter out" demonstrates how apathy can build up over time when there is a lack of stimulation or interest. The idiom highlights that the student's interest and motivation decreased gradually as a result of dull teaching strategies.

    • The campaign for the candidate's election petered out as the election day drew near, resulting in a close margin.

      This usage illustrates how "peter out" can be used to describe the decline of momentum or drive in relation to an event or goal. In other words, the candidate's efforts and resources slowly began to dwindle as the voting day approached, possibly resulting in a tighter race than expected.

    • After a week of intense training for the marathon, John started to peter out during the last few miles. His legs felt like lead, and he could barely take another step.

      In this example, "peter out" is used to describe when someone gradually loses energy and becomes exhausted, causing them to slow down or stop altogether.

    • Sarah's enthusiasm for her new business venture petered out after a few months of Setbacks and financial struggles.

      Here, "peter out" is used to describe when something loses its strength or momentum over time.

    • The party was in full swing, with music, food, and drinks aplenty. However, as the night wore on, the energy in the room began to peter out. Everyone seemed to lose their spark, and the party fizzled out.

      In this example, "peter out" is used to describe when a situation or event loses its excitement or intensity, causing it to become less lively or engaging.

    • Tom's story was captivating at first, but as he went on, his words began to peter out. His voice grew weaker, and his pace slowed down.

      Here, "peter out" is used to describe when someone's ability to speak or perform becomes less effective or engaging over time.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Peter out" is used to describe something that is gradually diminishing or coming to an end. It can be used to refer to a variety of situations, such as a fading sound, a conversation that is losing momentum, or a supply of something that is running low. It is also often used to describe something that is ending slowly or in a disappointing manner. Overall, the idiom "Peter out" is used to convey the idea of something gradually losing its intensity or coming to a slow or disappointing end.

    Origin of "Peter out"

    The origin of the idiom "Peter out" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century. One theory is that it comes from the mining industry, where "peter" was a slang term for a miner's assistant or a small mining claim. When a mining claim turned out to be unproductive, it was said to "peter out," meaning that it was not worth pursuing any further. Over time, the term came to be used more broadly to describe anything that was fading or coming to an end. Another theory suggests that it may have originated from the French word "péter," meaning to break wind, and was used figuratively to describe something losing its energy or momentum. Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "Peter out" has been in use for over a century and continues to be a common phrase in the English language.