Faltered

In the end, he also faltered in the face of great adversity.

His career had faltered.

"And how long is it before Marilla expects to be stone blind, Anne?" "The doctor thinks her eyes will not get any worse if she is very careful," faltered Anne.

I was going to ask her out, but at the last moment my courage faltered.

Yanni's career faltered.

As the economy faltered, his business was no longer profitable.

He faltered at the last second, costing them the game.