stick in the mud
Refuses all fun
A stick in the mud is someone who resists change, refuses to try new things, or dampens others' enthusiasm.
The image is of a person so mired in place they can't—or won't—move forward: Don't be such a stick in the mud; come dancing with us.
Often hyphenated when used as a modifier: Her stick-in-the-mud attitude killed the project.
Lacking edge or interest
- tediousBoring through length
- unimaginativeLacking creative originality
- lifelessDevoid of animation
- humdrumLacking variety or excitement
dreary · tiresome · uninspired · uninteresting · monotonous · plodding · colorless · lackluster
Following long-held customs
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
old-school · fuddy-duddy · behind the times · square · unhip · fogey · fogy · dinosaur
Against reform or advancement
- staticWithout motion or change
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- unchangingNot varying at all
- settledNo longer in question
rooted · anchored · stationary · inert · fossilized · stuck · immobile · fixed
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncooperativeUnwilling to assist others
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
bullheaded · recalcitrant · unbending · immovable · unyielding · intransigent · mulish · headstrong
dull
Lacking edge or interest
- tediousBoring through length
- unimaginativeLacking creative originality
- lifelessDevoid of animation
humdrum · dreary · tiresome · uninspired · uninteresting · monotonous · plodding · colorless · lackluster · prosaic
traditional
Following long-held customs
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- antiquatedOld and outdated
dated · old-school · fuddy-duddy · behind the times · square · unhip · fogey · fogy · dinosaur · relic
unprogressive
Against reform or advancement
- staticWithout motion or change
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- unchangingNot varying at all
settled · rooted · anchored · stationary · inert · fossilized · stuck · immobile · fixed · entrenched
stubborn
Refusing to change course
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncooperativeUnwilling to assist others
pigheaded · bullheaded · recalcitrant · unbending · immovable · unyielding · intransigent · mulish · headstrong · rigid
stick in the mudadventurer
One pursuing exciting exploits
free spirit · explorer · thrill-seeker · daredevil · risk-taker
stick in the mudlife of the party
Most entertaining guest
party animal · live wire · good-time Charlie · fun-lover · social butterfly
stick, sticky, sticks, sticker, sticking, unstick, stick-in-the-mud, sticked, stick-in-the-muds