put a damper on

Idioms and Phrases

Discourage, dishearten, deter, as in Grandpa's death put a damper on our Christmas holidays . This idiom employs the noun damper in the sense of “something that damps or depresses the spirits,” a usage dating from the mid-1700s.

Example Sentences

The Betts injury, which came on the same day the Dodgers put pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list because of a rotator-cuff strain, put a damper on an otherwise successful afternoon for the Dodgers.

From Los Angeles Times

It put a damper on the weekend, to say the least.

From Slate

The sun was shining Saturday, and Derby-goers didn’t have to contend with the bad news that put a damper on the race last year, when seven horses died in the week leading into the race.

From Seattle Times

“On this day, they are not letting it go. ... It was kind of like they put a damper on my childhood dream of getting a home run ball.”

From Los Angeles Times

They want diverse student bodies, but last year the Supreme Court put a damper on their ability to work directly toward that end.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• avert
• block
• dampen
• daunt
• discourage
• dissuade
• forestall
• frighten
• hinder
• impede
• intimidate
• obstruct
• preclude
• prevent
• prohibit
• restrain
• scare
• stop