die on the vine . die on the vine or wither on the vine {v. phr.} To fail or collapse in the planning stages. The program for rebuilding the city died on the vine. Categories: add yours {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: D Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry