start strong but finish weak; peter out
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to start strong but finish weak; to begin with a bang but end with a whimper; to peter out
derogatoryOften used to criticize projects, efforts, or behaviors that lack follow-through and consistency. Carries a negative or critical connotation.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
bù不
néng能
hǔ虎
tóu头
shé蛇
wěi尾
，
yī一
dìng定
yào要
jiān坚
chí持
dào到
dǐ底
。
We cannot start strong and finish weak on this matter; we must persist until the end.
Tā他
zuò做
shì事
zǒng总
shì是
hǔ虎
tóu头
shé蛇
wěi尾
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
hěn很
nán难
chéng成
gōng功
。
He always starts strong but peters out, so it's hard for him to succeed.
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Zhè这
gè个
jì计
huà划
kāi开
shǐ始
shí时
shēng声
shì势
hào浩
dà大
，
zuì最
hòu后
què却
hǔ虎
tóu头
shé蛇
wěi尾
de地
jié结
shù束
le了
。
This project began with great fanfare but ended with a whimper.