trail off


trail off

To dwindle, diminish, or fade away; to become fainter or weaker. Used especially, though not exclusively, in reference to speech or music. He started talking about the tax code, but trailed off when he realized no one was listening. The music from the radio trailed off as the car got farther from the house. The company's innovative ideas gave birth to a huge range of devices, but seem to have started trailing off in recent years.See also: off, trail

trail off

 and trail awayto fade away, as with speech, words, singing, etc. Her voice trailed off as she saw who was waiting at the door. Ken's words trailed away as he passed out.See also: off, trail

trail off

v. To become gradually fainter; dwindle: The writer's prolific output trailed off as the years went by.See also: off, trail