stick-in-the-mud
Killjoy at parties
A stick-in-the-mud is someone who resists change or refuses to participate in fun activities.
The image is of a person so firmly planted they can't be moved: Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud—come dancing with us.
The term is mildly dismissive, suggesting excessive caution or dullness rather than principled resistance.
Adherent to established customs
- fuddy-duddyOld-fashioned, overly fussy person
- fogeyPerson stuck in past
- squareRhombus with right angles
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
behind-the-times · fusty · stodgy · antiquated · old-school · outmoded · dinosaur · relic
Careful to avoid risk
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- hesitantSlow to act
- reservedRestrained in manner
unenthusiastic · unenterprising · predictable · boring · dull · unadventurous · conventional · unimaginative
One who dampens others' enjoyment
- wet-blanketSomeone who discourages enthusiasm
- party-pooperOne who kills merriment
- buzzkillFun-spoiling person or thing
- sourpussHabitually sullen person
grouch · curmudgeon · grump · naysayer · pessimist · complainer · dampener · drag
Firmly refusing to yield
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- rigidUnable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
immovable · mulish · bullheaded · intransigent · obdurate · recalcitrant · uncompromising · hidebound
traditionalist
Adherent to established customs
- fuddy-duddyOld-fashioned, overly fussy person
- fogeyPerson stuck in past
- squareRhombus with right angles
dated · behind-the-times · fusty · stodgy · antiquated · old-school · outmoded · dinosaur · relic · fossil
cautious
Careful to avoid risk
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- hesitantSlow to act
reserved · unenthusiastic · unenterprising · predictable · boring · dull · unadventurous · conventional · unimaginative · unexciting
spoilsport
One who dampens others' enjoyment
- wet-blanketSomeone who discourages enthusiasm
- party-pooperOne who kills merriment
- buzzkillFun-spoiling person or thing
sourpuss · grouch · curmudgeon · grump · naysayer · pessimist · complainer · dampener · drag · downer
obstinate
Firmly refusing to yield
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- rigidUnable to bend
unbending · immovable · mulish · bullheaded · intransigent · obdurate · recalcitrant · uncompromising · hidebound · diehard
- compound slangairhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, dimwit
- hardheadshardhead, mule, bullhead, donkey, hardliner
- people typesfriend, stranger, neighbor, enemy, buddy
- curmudgeonscurmudgeon, grouch, grump, crank, sourpuss
- grumpsgrouch, grump, curmudgeon, sourpuss, crank
- humorlessnesshumorlessness, seriousness, deadpan, poker face, stone face
stick-in-the-mudadventurer
One pursuing exciting exploits
free spirit · adventurous · trailblazer · pioneer · risk-taker
stick-in-the-mudlife of the party
Most entertaining guest
party animal · live wire · bon vivant · fun-lover · socialite
stick-in-the-mudtrendsetter
One who initiates styles
progressive · hipster · fashionista · trendy · fashionable
stick, sticky, sticker, sticking, stickiness, unstuck, unsticking, stick-in-the-muds, nonsticky