party pooper

Thân thiện

A cheerful birthday party suddenly quiets down when a party pooper frowns in the corner.

Definition

Noun: A person whose negative attitude, behavior, or actions dampen the enjoyment or enthusiasm of others at a social gathering or festive event; a killjoy.

Usage

This term is used informally to describe someone who ruins the fun or festive mood for a group, often by complaining, refusing to participate, being overly critical, or leaving an event early. It is typically used in a social, conversational context.

Examples

• Sarah didn't want to dance or play any games; she was being a real party pooper.
• Don't be a party pooper—the movie just started, so let's stay and watch it.
• He left the celebration at 9 p.m., and everyone called him a party pooper.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically beyond literal parties to describe anyone who dampens enthusiasm for a plan or idea.
  • We were all excited about the road trip, but Mark was a party pooper, listing all the things that could go wrong.

Variants and Related Words

• Pooper (noun, informal): A shortened, more casual form with the same meaning.
  • Come on, don't be a pooper!
• Party-pooper (noun): A common hyphenated spelling variant.

Synonyms

• Killjoy: A person who deliberately spoils the enjoyment of others.
• Spoilsport: A person who ruins others' fun by refusing to join in or by applying rules too strictly.
• Wet blanket (idiom): A person or thing that has a depressing or dispiriting effect.
• Stick-in-the-mud (idiom): A person who is dull, unadventurous, or resistant to change.

Related Idioms

• To rain on someone's parade: To spoil someone's plans or dampen their excitement.
  • I don't want to rain on your parade, but have you checked the weather forecast for your picnic?

Học thuật

Noun

1. someone who spoils the pleasure of others

Từ đồng nghĩa

• spoilsport
• killjoy
• wet blanket