Fading fast
Meaning
Declining rapidly in health, condition, vitality, or popularity.
Origin
The phrase 'fading fast' doesn't emerge from a singular historical event or a quirky custom; rather, it’s a natural, highly descriptive combination of two powerful English words. 'Fade' itself paints a picture of gradual diminishment—a photograph losing its color, a memory becoming hazy, light slowly disappearing. This word has been used in English for centuries, originating from the Old French 'fader' meaning 'to become weak or dull'. When coupled with 'fast,' which inherently conveys speed and rapidity, the phrase takes on an intensified urgency. It evokes the vivid image of something losing its strength, vibrancy, or presence at an accelerated, almost alarming rate, drawing on our universal human experience of witnessing things—from sunsets to empires—diminish quickly before our eyes.
Examples
- After years of being a top contender, the once-popular smartphone brand is fading fast in the competitive market.
- Without proper care and attention, the old garden started fading fast, losing its vibrant colors and lush greenery.