1
general::
Diminish gradually, draw to a close, as in By midnight the party had wound down. [Mid-1900s] Also see WIND UP.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): wind something down
to slow something down; to make something less hectic. • Let’s wind this party down and try to get people to go home. It’s really late. • We tried to wind down the party, but it kept running., Phrase(s): wind down
to start running or operating slower. • Things will begin to wind down at the end of the summer. • As things wind down, life will be a lot easier. • The clock wound down and finally stopped.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs