To start with a great flourish or strong momentum but end weakly or inconclusively; to have a strong beginning but a weak ending; to fail to see something through to the end with the same vigor.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Qing Dynasty, officialdom was extremely corrupt, where one could purchase official titles simply by having money.
Censor Du in the capital submitted a memorial to the Emperor, urging the rectification of official administration.
The Governor of Hunan Province, upon receiving the imperial decree, immediately organized an examination for his subordinate civil and military officials. He declared that anyone caught hiring a proxy would be beheaded immediately.
However, the proxy for his own second son was caught on the spot.
Consequently, this grand initiative had to end in a 'tiger head, snake tail' fashion, starting with great fanfare but concluding inconclusively.