cold water
Definition
- Noun:
- Discouragement or disparagement of a plan, hope, or expectation: The phrase "cold water" (typically used in the idiom "to pour/throw cold water on something") metaphorically represents criticism, skepticism, or negative remarks that dampen enthusiasm or extinguish excitement about an idea or proposal.
Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in the idiomatic expression "to pour cold water on [something]" or "to throw cold water on [something]". It describes the act of discouraging someone or expressing strong doubt about the feasibility or value of a plan, hope, or idea.
- It functions as a direct object within this idiom.
Examples
- Noun (in idiomatic use):
- The manager poured cold water on our proposal for a four-day workweek. (The manager strongly discouraged our proposal.)
- He didn't want to throw cold water on her dreams, but he felt he had to be realistic. (He didn't want to disparage her dreams.)
- Every time I suggest a new approach, she pours cold water on it. (She always criticizes or discourages my new ideas.)
Advanced Usage
- The idiom can be used in various tenses and forms (e.g., "is pouring cold water," "has poured cold water," "cold water was poured").
- It often implies that the criticism or discouragement is sudden, unwelcome, and has a chilling effect on morale or enthusiasm.
Variants and Related Words
- Cold-water (adjective, hyphenated): This is a separate compound word, not the idiom. It can describe something that uses or is related to unheated water (e.g., a , a ).
- Dampen spirits: A phrase with a similar meaning of reducing enthusiasm.
- Discouragement (noun): The general act of causing someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
Synonyms
- Discouragement
- Dampener
- Criticism (in this context)
- Disparagement
Related Phrases (Idioms)
- To pour/throw cold water on something: This is the core and only standard idiom for this term. It means to criticize or be negative about an idea or plan so that people become less enthusiastic about it.
- The financial report threw cold water on investors' hopes for a quick recovery.
Noun
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disparagement of a plan or hope or expectation
-
she poured cold water on the whole idea of going to Africa
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