What does "tail off" mean?

To become gradually smaller or quieter Used for sounds, numbers, or activity that diminishes gradually.

How do you use "tail off" in a sentence?

Sales usually tail off in summer. His voice tailed off. Interest in the project tailed off.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: To become gradually smaller or quieter

逐渐变小或变弱

Disminuir gradualmente

徐々に小さくなる・静かになる

점차 줄어들다, 잦아들다

Used for sounds, numbers, or activity that diminishes gradually.

用于声音、数量或活动逐渐减少。特别常用于描述声音渐弱或销量下降。

Se usa para sonidos, números o actividad que disminuyen gradualmente. Común para ventas, voces o interés.

音、数量、活動などが次第に減少していくことを表す。特に声が尻すぼみになったり、売上が減少したりする場合に使う。

소리, 수치, 활동 등이 서서히 줄어드는 것을 뜻한다.

Base verb: tail

Particle: off

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

Sales usually tail off in summer.
销量通常在夏季下滑
Las ventas suelen disminuir en verano
売上は通常夏に落ち込む
매출은 보통 여름에 줄어든다.
His voice tailed off.
他的声音逐渐变小
Su voz se fue apagando
彼の声は次第に小さくなっていった
그의 목소리가 점점 작아졌다.
Interest in the project tailed off.
对项目的兴趣逐渐消退
El interés en el proyecto fue decayendo
プロジェクトへの関心は薄れていった
프로젝트에 대한 관심이 시들해졌다.

Context: decline, sounds, sales

Tone: diminishing

From the image of a tail becoming thinner at the end.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal