put a damper on

Meaning

This expression means to ruin, spoil, or reduce the enjoyment, excitement, or enthusiasm of an event or situation. It is often used when an external event (like bad weather or bad news) makes a happy occasion less enjoyable.

Examples

• The sudden downpour really put a damper on our weekend camping trip.

  The sudden downpour really put a damper on our weekend camping trip.

• Getting a flat tire on the way to the party put a damper on the evening.

  Getting a flat tire on the way to the party put a damper on the evening.

• I don't want to put a damper on things, but we need to talk about the budget.

  I don't want to put a damper on things, but we need to talk about the budget.

• The bad news about the layoffs put a damper on the office holiday party.

  The bad news about the layoffs put a damper on the office holiday party.

• His negative attitude always puts a damper on our group hangouts.

  His negative attitude always puts a damper on our group hangouts.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The rain put a damp on our picnic.

  ✓ The rain put a damper on our picnic.

  The noun is "damper," not "damp."

• ✗ I don't want to put a damper to your plans.

  ✓ I don't want to put a damper on your plans.

  The idiom always uses the preposition "on," never "to" or "at."

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hate to ___ the celebrations, but we have a major problem to solve.

  💡 To spoil or lessen the excitement.

  Show answer

  put a damper on

• The argument they had right before dinner really ___ the whole evening.

  💡 Spoiled the mood.

  Show answer

  put a damper on