on the wane
3
6.7
- idiom
:
en declive
- The popularity of traditional television is on the wane as more people choose streaming services.
I, you know, we're in a moment in time where national power is on the wane with the rise of globalization.
- I, you know, we're in a moment in time where national power is on the wane with the rise of globalization.
- And prior to Paris, the Olympics were kind of on the wane in terms of mainstream kind of excitement about them.
Examples
-
Sounds like an expensive proposition just when theater attendance is on the wane.
Blog text (8) -
And Ford's career has been on the wane for some time.
Blog text (22) -
Now the moon is on the wane.
-
"The full moon of May is already on the wane," Scott declared.
Fiction book (1994) -
The situation in Russia is deteriorating, and democracy is on the wane.
Academic text (2007) -
By 1924, the British were hopeful that the influence of the "Palace party" was on the wane.
Academic text (2006) -
As I grew older, I could see that despite his being in demand, Hirose's glory days in Hollywood were on the wane.
Fiction book (2001) -
Many doctors told me that the "custom" of close marriage was on the wane due to increased awareness of such hygienic problems.
Academic text (2007) -
Already by 1854, Young America's influence was on the wane.
Academic text (2001) -
The MORI surveys also show that since 1989, environmental concern has been on the wane, with worries about jobs, health care, education, and crime pushing it out.
Academic text (1995)
Synonyms
344
3.7
To become less over time, for example in value or health
6
6.6
A slow decrease in size, strength, or number
1
3.0
A slow loss of strength, color, or sound over time
1
6.0
A gradual decrease in size or strength
Antonyms
How Widespread
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'becoming weaker or in decline' is directly derived from the verb 'wane' (to become smaller/weaker) combined with the prepositional-state marker 'on' and the article; the phrase simply denotes being in a state of waning. This is a regular compositional pattern found cross-linguistically, so a learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
On the wane comes from watching the moon. When the moon's light gets smaller people said it was 'waning', from the old word wane, so something on the wane looks like it is getting smaller or weaker and means 'becoming weaker'.