Damp Squib

More of an usual term, a ‘damp squib’ in British slang terms refers to something which fails on all accounts, coming from the ‘squib’ (an explosive), and the propensity for them to fail when wet.

- A firework that fails to go off, due to wetting

- Anything that doesn't work properly, or fails to come up to expectations.

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• The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up. [A festa foi um fracasso já que apenas Richard apareceu.]

Fonte: Lifehack