Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🎆 A small firework 📝 To write briefly 😞 To fail weakly
to squib

to squib

8.7
To fail to do well when success is expected
  • verb
  • /skwɪb/
translation icon : fracasar
  • Despite high expectations, the new product launch squibbed and sales were disappointing.

Examples

  • He squibbed his speech, leaving the audience unimpressed.

  • The team squibbed their chance to win in the final minutes.

  • Don't squib on your presentation!

  • The movie squibbed at the box office.

  • The team was disappointed when their last play squibbed, failing to gain any yards.

  • He squibbed his presentation, leaving the audience confused and unsatisfied.

  • Despite their preparation, the movie ultimately squibbed at the box office, disappointing many fans.

Synonyms

to fizzle
vsto squib
  • Informal
27 5.6

To end in a weak or disappointing way after a promising start

is about failing to perform as expected rather than only ending weakly
to underperform
vsto squib
20 5.3

To do worse than expected or needed

focuses on failing and disappointment rather than only doing less well
to flop
vsto squib
19 4.0

To end without success, often in public like a show

is a weaker, disappointing failure instead of a total collapse
to duff
vsto squib
  • UK
1 9.4

To fail at something in a clumsy way

is about weak or disappointing failure rather than clumsy mistakes

Antonyms

to succeed
846 2.0

To reach a goal after trying hard

Compounds

damp squib
  • UK
1 9.2

An event that is much less exciting than people expected

How Well

to falter
48 4.9
to squib
8.7
to flop
19 4.0
to collapse
579 3.9

Surface Forms

squib infinitive
squibbed past
squibbed past participle
squibbing present participle
squibs third person singular

Etymology

Squib meaning to fail likely comes from a small firework that 'fizzed' instead of exploding. That's why to squib something is to fall short or do it in a weak, disappointing way.