put a damper on

The expression put a damper on is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the put a damper on idiom.

Meaning of "put a damper on"

Meaning

The idiomatic phrase “to put a damper on” means to have a depressing or discouraging effect on something. It can be used to refer to activities, emotions, or enthusiasm.

Etymology

The expression “to put a damper on” has origins tracing back to the 16th century. It originally referred to closing the dampers in the firebox of a furnace to reduce the air supply and reduce the heat. The damper was the physical object that was used to put a stop to the fire, and the phrase “to put a damper on” came to mean figuratively to stop or to inhibit something.

Usage

The phrase “to put a damper on” is typically used to express disappointment or discouragement. It can be used in any situation where enthusiasm is dampened or enthusiasm is dampened. For example, someone might say “the bad weather put a damper on our plans” to indicate that their plans were hindered or discouraged due to the weather conditions.

Example Sentences

• The surprise cancellation of the show put a damper on the evening.
• The poor reviews of the movie put a damper on its box office success.
• The news of her aunt's ill health put a damper on the party.
• The ongoing pandemic has put a damper on our holiday plans.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.