1.
fizzling out; tailing off; petering out; anticlimactic ending
Something that starts strong but gradually weakens, diminishes, or loses momentum toward the end. Literally describes something that narrows toward the rear.
計画が尻すぼみになった。
The plan fizzled out.
議論は尻すぼみに終わった。
The discussion ended in an anticlimactic way.
最初は盛り上がったが、後半は尻すぼみになってしまった。
It was exciting at first, but the second half fizzled out.
Composed of 尻 (rear end, bottom) + すぼみ (narrowing, contracting, from すぼむ). Literally describes something that tapers off toward the end, like a shape that narrows at its base.
USAGE:
Typically used with になる (to become) or に終わる (to end). Carries a negative connotation — implies disappointment that something did not maintain its initial energy.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 尻すぼみになる: to fizzle out, to peter out
- 尻すぼみに終わる: to end in an anticlimax
- 尻すぼみの結果: an anticlimactic result
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 竜頭蛇尾: a strong start with a weak ending (a four-character idiom meaning "dragon head, snake tail")
- 中途半端: halfhearted, incomplete — different nuance, emphasizes incompleteness rather than tapering off
CONTRAST:
有終の美 (finishing beautifully) is the opposite sentiment — ending on a high note.