Put a damper on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpʊt/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈdæmpɝ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

PUT uh DAM-per on

UK

pʊt/ /æɪ/ /dˈæmpɐ/ /ˈɒn

PUT uh DAM-puh on

Definition

To spoil the mood or make a situation less enjoyable or exciting.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal idiom, common in spoken English. Use it when something negative reduces enjoyment, especially at social events. Often used with words like 'news', 'rain', or 'comment' ('The rain really put a damper on the picnic.'). Not literal; doesn't refer to physical dampness.

• Spanish: aguar la fiesta - quitarle el ánimo
• Portuguese (BR): estragar o clima - esfriar o ânimo
• Portuguese (PT): estragar o clima - desanimar
• Chinese (Simplified): 扫兴 - 让气氛变沉
• Chinese (Traditional): 掃興 - 讓氣氛變沉
• Hindi: माहौल बिगाड़ना - उत्साह कम करना
• Arabic: يُفسد الأجواء - يُقلّل الحماس
• Bengali: মেজাজ নষ্ট করা - আনন্দ মাটি করা
• Russian: испортить настроение - испортить атмосферу
• Japanese: 水を差す - 雰囲気を壊す
• Vietnamese: làm mất hứng - làm cụt hứng
• Korean: 분위기를 망치다 - 흥을 깨다
• Turkish: moral bozmak - keyfini kaçırmak
• Urdu: خوشی میں خلل ڈالنا - ماحول خراب کرنا
• Indonesian: merusak suasana - menurunkan semangat

Example Sentences

The bad news really put a damper on our celebration.

basic

Rain can put a damper on outdoor plans.

basic

His rude comments put a damper on the meeting.

basic

Nobody wants to put a damper on your excitement, but you should be careful.

natural

The power outage really put a damper on the party last night.

natural

Let’s not put a damper on things—let’s keep having fun!

natural