tapering off
1
5.5
- idiom
- /ˈteɪpərɪŋ ɔf/
:
disminuyendo
- As the sun sets, the sound of traffic is tapering off, creating a peaceful evening atmosphere.
Examples
-
Maybe maturity is more like a bell curve, finding its zenith in the middle ranges of life and tapering off at either end.
Blog text (3) -
I was relieved and grateful to see the desire to be someone else tapering off noticeably in my son as he developed an easy friendship with Rex 2.
Fiction book (1999) -
Comments included: "more coaching in the beginning, then tapering off," and "we probably need weekly visits, but only have time for monthly visits."
Academic text (2013) -
It continued relentlessly, eventually tapering off when I left London.
Blog text (3) -
I did pot every day for a year or two, and I was pretty much tapering off it because I was going to start school, and I knew I was screwing my head up.
Academic text (2006) -
Starting in 1989, Soviet economic and military assistance to Ethiopia began tapering off, and the Mengistu regime felt obliged to offer Eritrea autonomy.
Academic text (1992) -
I personally have such a difficult-to-treat case of IC that letting go of anything that has helped would be hard for me, but if someone isn't in that situation and might have had an episode of IC that has since gone into remission, maybe tapering off would make sense...
Blog text (10) -
The Monday of the crash, "at-the-money" implied volatility for the three front-most contracts was slightly elevated before tapering off, according to Kip Perkins of Parity Energy.
Blog text (18) -
The snowfall is gradually tapering off, leaving a thin layer on the ground by tomorrow.
-
My interest in the project is tapering off after several months of little progress.
Synonyms
344
3.7
To become less over time, for example in value or health
72
5.1
To become smaller or less in number over time
69
3.0
To become weaker and then disappear over time
49
2.6
Become less in number, amount, or quality
46
2.7
To become less strong or loud over time
21
3.5
To become less in number or amount
19
4.3
To become less in amount or quality
18
4.2
To become gradually less in size or amount
9
4.0
To become gradually less strong or severe
9
5.6
To slowly become weaker and then stop
9
4.5
To become smaller or weaker over time until it stops
8
5.3
To gradually lose energy or interest and end weakly
4
3.5
Become fewer and more spread out
2
3.3
To become less over time
1
4.6
Slowly get smaller in number or amount until nothing remains
1
5.1
To become slowly smaller or less until almost nothing remains
1
4.7
Becoming smaller or fewer over time
Becoming gradually narrower toward one end
Becoming less in size, number, amount or importance
To flow back or become less strong slowly
Becoming less in number, size, or strength
Antonyms
How Small
Surface Forms
Morphology
taper + off
The meaning 'becoming gradually smaller, weaker, or less' is directly derivable from 'taper' (to decline or dwindle gradually) combined with the particle 'off', which commonly signals reduction or cessation; together they form a predictable composition meaning gradual decrease. This is a common English pattern (e.g. 'die off', 'tail off') and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The phrase tapering off comes from the image of something that slowly tapers, meaning it gets thinner, and then fades off, like a road that narrows or a candle flame that grows smaller. That's why it means 'becoming gradually smaller, weaker, or less' until almost nothing remains.