fizzle /(fĭz"z'l)/

fiz·zle

fizzle

v. i.

imp. & p. p. fizzled; p. pr. & vb. n. fizzling

  1. To make a hissing sound.
    It is the easiest thing, sir, to be done, As plain as fizzling.
  2. To make a ridiculous failure in an undertaking, especially after a good start; to achieve nothing. [Colloq. or Low]
    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).

Phrases & Compounds
To fizzle out
to burn with a hissing noise and then go out, like wet gunpowder;

fizzle

n.
  1. A failure or abortive effort; a fiasco. [Colloq.]