| Each section had the glimmerings of a good plot, but they all petered out into nothing very much. |
| After a few years of vigorous controversy the second great debate petered out. |
| The local musicians and the tourists were thoroughly suspicious of something so synthetic, and it petered out. |
| When hostilities petered out following the conclusion of the Anglo-French peace of 1546, Anglo-Scottish relations remained as bad as ever. |
| The lane petered out to track, the rain increased to torrential and dozens of lambs crowded under thorn trees, bleating. |
| His interest in criminal work petered out fairly early in his career and he specialised in family law. |
