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# squib

noun (a squib, squibs)

«squib» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A small firework that burns with a hissing sound and then bangs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#m1)
2. «A damp squib» (UK): something expected to be exciting that turns out to be a disappointment. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#m2)
3. A short funny or sharp piece of writing that mocks someone (old use). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#m3)
4. (Australia, informal) A coward or weakling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#m4)

### In the lessons

In everyday British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand talk, «a damp squib» is a let-down: «The fireworks show was a damp squib in the rain.» In safety lessons, squibs and fireworks are dangerous for children to handle. In Australian slang, «Don't be a squib» means «don't be scared».

### Examples

- The party was a damp squib — nobody came. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#x1)
- The squib fizzed and popped. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#x2)
- Never pick up a firework or a squib that hasn't gone off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#x3)
- The big final turned out to be a damp squib. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#x4)
- (Australia) Come on, don't be a squib, jump in the pool! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#x5)
- "No you don't," said the dragon in a spluttering voice, like a damp squib. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/#x6)

### Note

«Damp squib» is often wrongly said «damp squid» — a common mistake. A damp firework fizzles instead of banging, which is where the phrase comes from.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «squib» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/squib/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«squib» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/squib.html) on Mova free.