It refers to something that begins with great enthusiasm and energy but fades away quickly, much like the cogon grass (a type of grass that grows quickly but also dies quickly).
The phrase is often used to describe people who are enthusiastic about starting projects but quickly lose interest and give up. It can also be used to describe projects that start with a lot of promise but ultimately fail to deliver.
Here are some examples of how "ningas cogon" might be used:
* "His business idea was great at first, but it quickly became ningas cogon."
* "He started the exercise program with a lot of enthusiasm, but it was ningas cogon after just a few weeks."
* "The government's anti-poverty program has been criticized for being ningas cogon."
Origin of the phrase:
The phrase is thought to have originated from the fast-growing nature of cogon grass. It symbolizes the tendency to start strong but quickly lose momentum.
Similar phrases in English:
* "All bark and no bite"
* "Flash in the pan"
* "Starts strong, finishes weak"
* "Short-lived enthusiasm"
* "Starts with a bang, ends with a whimper"