pour cold water on

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Definition
  1. Verb phrase:
    • To express strong disapproval, skepticism, or negativity about an idea, plan, or enthusiasm, thereby discouraging it or reducing its momentum.
Usage
  • This phrase is used to describe the act of dampening someone's enthusiasm or criticizing a proposal in a way that discourages its progress.
  • It is typically used in informal contexts.
  • The structure is usually: Subject + pour cold water on + [idea/plan/enthusiasm].
Examples
  • Verb phrase:
    • She was excited about her startup idea, but her mentor poured cold water on it by highlighting all the financial risks.
    • The committee poured cold water on the proposal, stating it was unrealistic given the current budget.
    • Don't pour cold water on their plans just because you're feeling pessimistic.
Advanced Usage
  • "to pour cold water on the notion/idea that...": To strongly disagree with or disprove a commonly held belief.
    • The new study pours cold water on the notion that this supplement improves health.
Variants and Related Words
  • Dampen enthusiasm (verb phrase): To make someone less excited or eager.
  • Throw a wet blanket on (idiom): To have a depressing or discouraging effect on an event or mood. (Note: This is a related idiom with a similar meaning but a different image.)
Synonyms
  • Discourage: To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
  • Disparage: To regard or represent as being of little worth.
  • Dampen: To make something less strong or intense.
Related Phrasal Verbs

(This phrase itself is a set phrasal verb. Other phrasal verbs with 'pour' have different meanings, such as 'pour out' [to express emotions freely] or 'pour into' [to invest a lot of effort].)

Related Idioms
  • Rain on someone's parade: To spoil someone's plans or happiness.
    • I hate to rain on your parade, but the event has been canceled. (This is a close synonym in spirit.)
  • Be a wet blanket: To be a person who spoils other people's fun by being disapproving or gloomy.
    • Don't invite him; he's such a wet blanket at parties.
Verb
  1. be discouraging or negative about

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