Pour cold water on Meaning in English

expression

US

PAWR kold WAW-ter on

UK

PAW kold WAW-tuh on

Definition

To discourage someone's ideas, hopes, or enthusiasm, often by criticizing or dismissing them.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal; often used to describe someone who negatively reacts to new plans or excitement. Common in the phrase 'pour cold water on (someone's idea/plan)'. Can sound disapproving of the person discouraging others.

• Spanish: desanimar - quitar las ganas - cortar el rollo
• Portuguese (BR): esfriar o entusiasmo - desanimar - jogar um balde de água fria
• Portuguese (PT): esfriar o entusiasmo - desanimar - deitar um balde de água fria
• Chinese (Simplified): 泼冷水 - 打击热情
• Chinese (Traditional): 潑冷水 - 打擊熱情
• Hindi: जोश ठंडा करना - उत्साह कम करना
• Arabic: يُحبط الحماس - يثبط الهمة
• Bengali: উৎসাহে জল ঢালা - পরিকল্পনায় ঠান্ডা পানি ঢালাও
• Russian: охлаждать энтузиазм - обескураживать - осуждать идею
• Japanese: 水を差す
• Vietnamese: dội gáo nước lạnh - làm cụt hứng
• Korean: 찬물을 끼얹다
• Turkish: soğuk su dökmek - hevesini kırmak
• Urdu: ٹھنڈا پانی ڈالنا - حوصلہ شکنی کرنا
• Indonesian: mencurahkan air dingin - memadamkan semangat

Example Sentences

Every time I share an idea, he pours cold water on it.

basic

She didn't mean to pour cold water on your plan.

basic

My teacher poured cold water on my idea for the project.

basic

Don't pour cold water on my excitement before we've even started!

natural

He always has to pour cold water on any fun idea.

natural

I hate to pour cold water on your plans, but it's not possible this weekend.

natural