Put a damper on Meaning in English
expression
ˈpʊt/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈdæmpɝ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
PUT uh DAM-per on
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 ánimoPortuguese (BR): estragar o clima - esfriar o ânimoPortuguese (PT): estragar o clima - desanimarChinese (Simplified): 扫兴 - 让气氛变沉Chinese (Traditional): 掃興 - 讓氣氛變沉Hindi: माहौल बिगाड़ना - उत्साह कम करनाArabic: يُفسد الأجواء - يُقلّل الحماسBengali: মেজাজ নষ্ট করা - আনন্দ মাটি করাRussian: испортить настроение - испортить атмосферуJapanese: 水を差す - 雰囲気を壊すVietnamese: làm mất hứng - làm cụt hứngKorean: 분위기를 망치다 - 흥을 깨다Turkish: moral bozmak - keyfini kaçırmakUrdu: خوشی میں خلل ڈالنا - ماحول خراب کرناIndonesian: 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