[wither] on the vine

(of a plan or course of action) to fail to succeed or produce the expected results

The idiom "wither on the vine" has its origins in agriculture and horticulture, specifically in the context of fruit-bearing plants and vineyards. Figuratively, this expression is used to signify the failure or decline of a project, opportunity, or idea due to neglect, inaction, or a lack of development.

The once-promising startup began to wither on the vine when it failed to secure additional funding.
The athlete's career started to wither on the vine after a series of injuries left him unable to compete.
The ambitious plans for the new product launch began to wither on the vine when the marketing team didn't follow through.
The community garden project began to wither on the vine when volunteers became too busy to maintain it.
Without proper support and resources, the artistic initiative started to wither on the vine, despite its creative potential.