Put the kibosh on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpʊt/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ [kaɪˈbɑʃ] /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

PUT thuh ky-BOSH on

UK

pʊt/ /ðə, ði/ /kˈɪbɒʃ/ /ˈɒn

put thuh ki-BOSH on

Definition

To stop something from happening or ruin a plan, project, or idea.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, slightly old-fashioned idiom. It's usually used when something suddenly ends or ruins plans. Common with 'plans', 'ideas', 'hopes', or 'events': 'put the kibosh on our vacation'. Not used in formal writing.

• Spanish: poner fin a - echar por tierra - arruinar (plan/idea)
• Portuguese (BR): acabar com - pôr fim a - estragar (plano/ideia)
• Portuguese (PT): acabar com - pôr fim a - estragar (plano/ideia)
• Chinese (Simplified): 阻止 - 终结 - 搞砸（计划/想法）
• Chinese (Traditional): 阻止 - 終結 - 搞砸（計劃/想法）
• Hindi: रोक लगाना - रोक देना - योजना को बिगाड़ना
• Arabic: وضع حد لـ - إفشال (خطة/فكرة)
• Bengali: হঠাৎ থামিয়ে দেয়া - দমে যাওয়া
• Russian: сорвать - положить конец
• Japanese: 台無しにする - 水を差す
• Vietnamese: ngăn chặn - làm đổ bể
• Korean: 수포로 만들다 - 무산시키다
• Turkish: bozmak - engel olmak
• Urdu: حادثہ روک دینا - منصوبہ ناکام بنانا
• Indonesian: menggagalkan - membatalkan

Example Sentences

The rain put the kibosh on our picnic.

basic

Her parents put the kibosh on her travel plans.

basic

The company’s budget cuts put the kibosh on the project.

basic

I was going to buy a new phone, but an unexpected bill put the kibosh on that idea.

natural

Bad weather might put the kibosh on the outdoor concert.

natural

Just when we were about to leave, Mom put the kibosh on our plans because of the news.

natural