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end with a whimper

[/end wɪð ə ˈwɪmpər/]
verb phrase
terminar com um gemido fraco; acabar de forma lamentável
1. To conclude or finish in a weak, disappointing, or anticlimactic manner, without the expected impact or significance
The movie had great potential but ended with a whimper, leaving audiences disappointed.
O filme tinha grande potencial, mas terminou com um gemido fraco, deixando o público desapontado.
2. To finish something important without proper recognition or fanfare; to fade away quietly
His once-successful career ended with a whimper after the scandal.
Sua carreira outrora bem-sucedida terminou de forma lamentável após o escândalo.
NYC Slang
Fade out; go out sad; end trash
Synonyms
fizzle outpeter outfail to impressend on a low noteanticlimactic ending
Antonyms
end with a banggo out in a blaze of glorymake a grand finaleend on a high note

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
terminar com um gemido fraco; acabar de forma lamentável
Commonly used in contemporary Portuguese
São Paulo
acabar mofino; terminar fraco
Alternative colloquial expression
Portugal
terminar de forma decepcionante; acabar num gemido fraco
More formal usage in European Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
cair na mesmice; terminar fraco
Colloquial variant

Related Idioms & Phrases

end with a bang (antonym)
go out with a whimper
not with a bang but a whimper
peter out
fizzle out
end on a low note
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