1
general::
Phrase(s): sputter something out
to utter something while stuttering or faltering. (As when one is physically or mentally disoriented.) • She was so excited she could hardly sputter her name out. • He could only sputter out a few words., Phrase(s): sputter out
[for a flame] to go out in little puffs. • The candle flame flickered and sputtered out. • The fire sputtered out after midnight and we all got very cold before down.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs