Pour cold water on
verb phrase
To put an end to something or dampen the efforts of someone: poured cold water on my vacation idea
Also, throw cold water on. Discourage or deter, as in Cutting my year-end bonus poured cold water on my loyalty to the company, or Hearing about the outbreak of cholera threw cold water on our plans to visit Bolivia. This term, with its image of putting out a fire with water, at one time meant “defame” or “slander”; the modern meaning dates from about 1800.
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[pawr, pohr] /pɔr, poʊr/ verb (used with object) 1. to send (a liquid, fluid, or anything in loose particles) flowing or falling, as from one container to another, or into, over, or on something: to pour a glass of milk; to pour water on a plant. 2. to emit or propel, especially continuously or rapidly: […]
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