taper off

Related to taper off: reinstate, regardless of, ameliorating

taper off

1. To become thinner or narrower, especially at a gradual degree. The giant wall went on for miles, eventually tapering off into a small strip of stones deep in the countryside. By tapering off to such a fine point, the needle is able to puncture the skin without causing much pain.
2. To cause something to become thinner or narrower, as by grinding or whittling its surface. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "taper" and "off." We'll have to taper off one end of the replacement rod to get it to fit into the machinery.
3. To weaken, lessen, or diminish gradually. The storm is expected to taper off later in the afternoon. You're going to feel very groggy at first, but the effects should taper off after a couple of days.
4. To gradually reduce the amount of something one ingests or some activity in which one partakes with the aim of stopping entirely. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "taper" and "off." I was on a lot of medication following the surgery, but I'm finally starting to taper that off. Going cold turkey didn't work for me, so I'm going to try tapering off my smoking instead.
See also: off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

taper off (doing something)

gradually to stop doing something; to do less and less of something until there is no more to do. Bob tried to taper off smoking again. I can't taper off overeating. I have to stop all at once by going on a strict diet.
See also: off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

taper off

1. Become thinner or narrower at one end, as in The road began to taper off until it was just a narrow path. [c. 1600]
2. Diminish or lessen gradually, end by degrees, as in The storm finally tapered off. [Mid-1800s]
See also: off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

taper off

v.
1. To narrow, diminish, or lessen gradually: The rod tapers off to a point at one end. The rain finally tapered off, and we went back outside.
2. To cause something to narrow, diminish, or lessen gradually: I tapered off the end of a stick and drove it into the ground. The doctor tapered the medication off as the patient recovered.
3. To gradually reduce someone's medication: After my symptoms disappeared, the doctor tapered me off the medication.
See also: off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a/the softly-softly approach
  • wear thin
  • reduce (something) by (something)
  • reduce by
  • softly-softly
  • to the nth degree
  • slope off
  • paint thinner
  • mission creep
  • make (one's) way back (to something or some place)
References in periodicals archive
However, many patients, including those in the study, are unable to taper off steroids, even when receiving immunomodulator therapy.
Biologic Therapy Helps Fight Crohn's Disease
OAKLAND, Calif.--Though growth in operating profits continued to taper off in the face of lackluster sales, Safeway Inc.
Safeway income climbs 50.8% in 2nd quarter
At the same time, nonferrous market penetration will slow down as production costs increase and markets taper off.
Report provides in-depth look at U.S. foundry industry
'When you think of the combination of oil prices having come off now and with the interventions done by the government on the food side, the inflationary pressures are probably less, so inflation should probably begin to taper off and if inflation begins to taper off, the pressure to raise interest rates will subside a little bit and I think it will be better for the economy as a whole,' Consing said.
BPI president: Better year ahead
"I don't think it will, because as we forecasted, the price of oil will really taper off from here on," Diokno told reporters when asked if the fuel excise suspension would stay for the entire 2019.
DBM still hopeful on fuel tax hike in 2019
In a report, BMI Research said, 'The Philippine economy expanded by an impressive rate of 6.8 percent in 2016 with a boost from the one-off election spending, and although we forecast real GDP growth to taper off slightly to 6.3 percent in 2017, it will nevertheless remain one of the fastest growing economies in the region.'
BMI Research says Philippine banking sector is strong
The snowstorm, which is currently affecting the Kingdom, is expected to taper off in the evening hours and tomorrow, but still there will remain a chance for scattered shower.
Snowfall on southern hilly areas forecast
The housing data also touched off speculation that expectations for a halt to interest rate hikes in the United States will taper off.
LEAD: Dollar tops 117 yen in New York
They gradually taper off after menopause in most women.
Common questions about hormone therapy
However, the deaths didn't taper off with the pollen density or distance from the field.
Bt corn variety OK for black swallowtails
While from the ground the Postal Service building appears "humongous" and has a top that appears to taper off, looking down from his perch at the Trade Center, Martin realized it was actually "H"-shaped, and would make a perfect home for the Society.
Unique deal for Legal Aid on Church St
Continued optimism was not as strong as growth in these markets is expected to taper off, and in some cases turn downward in 1995.
Tire shipments set record
The government's economic team on Friday expressed confidence that the soaring prices of commodities will taper off by year-end even as inflation clocked in at 6.7 percent in September.
Economic managers confident inflation will taper off by year-end
The snowstorm is expected to taper off as of Sunday afternoon, but still there will remain a chance for occasional scattered rain and snow showers.
Rain, snowfall to continue
Bank Indonesia had raised rates by 175 basis points between June and November after the stock market and rupiah plunged amid speculation that the United States would taper off its stimulus programme.
Indonesian central bank keeps rate steady