to pour cold water on
1pour cold water on (something) — pour/throw cold water on (something) informal if you pour cold water on opinions or ideas, you criticize them and stop people believing them or being excited about them. Margaret Thatcher poured cold water on the idea of a European central bank …
2pour cold water on something — throw/pour/cold water on something phrase to do or say something that spoils someone’s plans or enthusiasm for doing something He’s always throwing cold water on her ideas. Thesaurus: to make someone feel disappointed or less hopefulsynonym… …
3pour\ cold\ water\ on — • throw cold water on • dash cold water on • pour cold water on v. phr. To discourage; say or do something to discourage. We had high hopes of victory but our opponents soon threw cold water on them. Henry s father threw cold water on his plans… …
4pour cold water on — verb be discouraging or negative about • Syn: ↑throw cold water on • Hypernyms: ↑discourage • Verb Frames: Somebody s something Somebody s somebody * * * see …
5pour cold water on — If you pour cold water on someone s plans, opinions or ideas, you discourage them by showing little enthusiasm or expression your misgivings. The committee poured cold water on the idea of accepting new members …
6pour cold water on something — tv. to put n end to something; to dampen something. □ I hate to pour cold water on your plan, but it won’t work. □ I wanted to go to the party, but my brother poured cold water on that by taking the car …
7pour cold water on — See: THROW COLD WATER ON …
8pour cold water on — See: THROW COLD WATER ON …
9pour cold water on — verb To belittle or dismiss; to cast doubt upon; to debunk. Syn: throw cold water on …
10pour cold water on — v. throw cold water on, discourage, deter; dampen the excitement, kill the joy; be discouraging about …
