pour cold water on
/pɔːr koʊld ˈwɔːtər ɒn/
Meaning
To 'pour cold water on' something means to discourage, criticize, or dismiss an idea, plan, or enthusiasm. In relationships, it refers to one person dampening another's excitement or optimism by pointing out flaws, being overly negative, or showing lack of support.
Examples
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I was so excited about starting my own business, but my father immediately poured cold water on the idea.
I was so excited about starting my own business, but my father immediately poured cold water on the idea.
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Every time I suggest a weekend getaway, she pours cold water on my plans.
Every time I suggest a weekend getaway, she pours cold water on my plans.
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Please don't pour cold water on his enthusiasm; he worked really hard on this proposal.
Please don't pour cold water on his enthusiasm; he worked really hard on this proposal.
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She poured cold water on our travel plans by listing all the potential dangers.
She poured cold water on our travel plans by listing all the potential dangers.
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He is always ready to pour cold water on any suggestion that isn't his own.
He is always ready to pour cold water on any suggestion that isn't his own.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He threw cold water to my plans.
✓ He poured cold water on my plans.
The standard idiom uses the verb 'pour' (or sometimes 'throw') and must be followed by the preposition 'on', not 'to'.
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✗ Don't pour cold water at her.
✓ Don't pour cold water on her ideas.
You pour cold water on an 'idea', 'plan', or 'enthusiasm', not directly on the 'person' (unless you mean it literally).
Related Expressions
Practice
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I hate to ___ your plans, but the weather forecast for this weekend is terrible.
💡 Use the base form of the idiom to discourage an idea.
Show answer
pour cold water on
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Instead of supporting my career change, my friends just ___ my dreams.
💡 Use the past tense form to show how they discouraged you.
Show answer
poured cold water on