ə dæmp skwɪb
General
neutral
advanced
- Literally:
- A small firecracker that has gotten wet and fails to explode
What does "a damp squib" mean?
An event that is much less impressive than expected
Examples
- After months of hype, the product launch turned out to be a damp squib.
- The much-anticipated debate was a damp squib.
- The company's annual party was a damp squib.
Origin
A squib is a small explosive device. Figurative usage dates to the 19th century.
How to use it
Primarily British and Commonwealth English. Sometimes confused with 'damp squid' (incorrect).
Similar expressions
letdown
anticlimax
flop
disappointment
Opposites
spectacular success
blockbuster
triumph
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "a damp squib" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.