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verb (used without object) peter out,
1.
to diminish gradually and stop; dwindle to nothing: The hot water always peters out in the middle of my shower.
2.
to tire; exhaust (usually used as a past participle): I'm petered out after that walk.
Origin:
1805–15, in sense “put an end to”; 1860–65 for def. 1; origin uncertain
1805–15, in sense “put an end to”; 1860–65 for def. 1; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Peter out
is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Slang Dictionary
peter out definition
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Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
peter out
Dwindle or diminish and come to an end, as in Their enthusiasm soon petered out. The origin of this usage is unknown, but one authority suggests it may refer to the apostle Peter, whose enthusiastic support of Jesus quickly diminished so that he denied knowing him three times during the night after Jesus's arrest. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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