puts a damper on
Spoils the mood
To put a damper on something is to diminish its intensity or enthusiasm—to suppress or discourage: The rain put a damper on our picnic plans.
The phrase evokes a damper, a device that controls airflow in a fireplace or mutes the sound of a piano.
Something that puts a damper on a situation doesn't extinguish it entirely but subdues its energy or momentum.
- discourageDiminish someone's confidence
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
- rain on one's paradeDiminish another's excitement
- disheartenCause to lose hope
- hinderObstruct or delay
put a crimp in · overshadow · demoralize · bring down · impede · staves off · chill · cool one's jets · deflate · take the wind out · sadden · mute · throw cold water on · subdue · cloud · undermine · frustrate · disappoint
puts a damper onfuels
Energy sources for engines
accelerates · propels · catalyzes · promotes · facilitates
puts, putting, damper, damp, dampen, dampened, dampening, dampens, dampness