raining on someone's parade
Dampening another's joy
Raining on someone's parade means spoiling their moment of happiness or triumph with unwelcome news, criticism, or negativity.
The image is of bad weather ruining an outdoor celebration: I hate to rain on your parade, but the budget won't cover that.
Often appears with hedging phrases that acknowledge the speaker knows they're being a killjoy.
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- cancellationVoiding of plans
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- interruptionBreak in continuity
- underminingWeakening by covert means
burst your bubble · spoilsport · criticism · sabotage · envy · setback · negativity · resentment · buzzkill · party pooper · frustration · obstacle · misfortune · wet blanket · killjoy · downer · failure · dampening
raining on someone's paradepaving the way
Preparing for what follows
rolling out the red carpet · greasing the wheels · opening doors · giving the green light · having someone's back
rained, rainiest, rainfall, raindrop, rainbow, someone, parade, parades, paraded