ˈteɪpər ɒf
formal
advanced
- Base verb:
- taper
- Particle:
- off
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "taper off" mean?
To gradually decrease in intensity or amount
Examples
- Consumer demand tapered off after the launch.
- The central bank will taper off bond purchasing.
- Rainfall is expected to taper off by afternoon.
- His enthusiasm tapered off.
How to use it
Used in economic, medical, and scientific contexts.
Word order
Can be separated transitively but more commonly intransitive.
Similar expressions
diminish
dwindle
wane
subside
Opposites
escalate
intensify
ramp up
Related phrasal verbs
- turn off
To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button
- get off
To leave a bus, train, plane, or other public transport
- go off
To explode or fire (bomb, gun, fireworks)
- give off
To emit or produce something (smell, heat, light, radiation)
- come off
To become detached or separated
- put off
To postpone or delay something
Use it in a practice answer
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