From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
fizzle \fiz"zle\ (f[i^]z"z'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {fizzled}
(f[i^]z"z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {fizzling} (f[i^]z"zl[i^]ng).]
[See {Fizz}.]
1. To make a hissing sound.
[1913 Webster]
It is the easiest thing, sir, to be done,
As plain as fizzling. --B. Jonson.
[1913 Webster]
2. To make a ridiculous failure in an undertaking, especially
after a good start; to achieve nothing. [Colloq. or Low]
[1913 Webster +PJC]
A four-day rally in stocks fizzled yesterday amid
renewed fears that strong economic growth may prompt
the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.
--Sharon R.
King (N. Y.
Times, May 6,
1998).
[PJC]
{To fizzle out}, to burn with a hissing noise and then go
out, like wet gunpowder; hence: to fail completely and
ridiculously; to prove a failure. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
fizzle \fiz"zle\, n.
A failure or abortive effort; a fiasco. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
fizzle
n 1: a fricative sound (especially as an expression of
disapproval); "the performers could not be heard over the
hissing of the audience" [syn: {hiss}, {hissing},
{hushing}, {fizzle}, {sibilation}]
2: a complete failure; "the play was a dismal flop" [syn:
{flop}, {bust}, {fizzle}]
v 1: end weakly; "The music just petered out--there was no
proper ending" [syn: {taper off}, {peter out}, {fizzle
out}, {fizzle}]
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