How to Pronounce "pour cold water on"
expression
PAWR kold WAW-ter on
PAW kold WAW-tuh on
Definition
To discourage someone's ideas, hopes, or enthusiasm, often by criticizing or dismissing them.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpɔɹ/ /ˈkoʊɫd/ /ˈwɔtɝ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
British English
pˈɔː/ /kˈəʊld/ /wˈɔːtɐ/ /ˈɒn
Simplified Pronunciation
US
PAWR kold WAW-ter on
UK
PAW kold WAW-tuh on
Listen in Context
Every time I share an idea, he pours cold water on it.
She didn't mean to pour cold water on your plan.
My teacher poured cold water on my idea for the project.
Don't pour cold water on my excitement before we've even started!