竜りゅう頭とう蛇だ尾び

noun

anticlimax; strong start, weak finish

A yojijukugo describing something that begins impressively but ends poorly or fizzles out. Often used for projects, stories, or events.

• あの映えい画がは竜りゅう頭とう蛇だ尾びで、前ぜん半はんは面おも白しろかったのに後こう半はんは退たい屈くつだった。

  That movie was an anticlimax; the first half was interesting but the second half was boring.

• 彼かれの計けい画かくは竜りゅう頭とう蛇だ尾びに終おわった。

  His plan ended with a strong beginning and weak finish.