wither on the vine

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wither on the vine (third-person singular simple present withers on the vine, present participle withering on the vine, simple past and past participle withered on the vine)

1. (idiomatic) To be unsuccessful due to neglect or inaction.
   • 2006, Tom Devine, The Scottish Nation: A Modern History:

     Common Cause brought some Scottish intellectuals together, while Scotland United, an alliance of politicians, novelists and pop stars, held two successful rallies and proposed a multi-option referendum on the constitution. These two organizations soon withered on the vine.

• die on the vine