pour cold water on: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘pour cold water on’ mean?
The idiom "pour cold water on" means to discourage or dampen enthusiasm for an idea, plan, or suggestion by expressing disapproval or skepticism.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "run hot and cold" means to constantly change one's opinion or attitude towards something, often alternating between enthusiasm and indifference.
The idiom "rain pitchforks" means to rain very heavily or intensely. It is often used to describe a downpour of rain or a severe storm.
Rain pitchforks is an idiom used to describe a very heavy rainstorm. The rain falls so intensely that it resembles a shower of pitchforks. While the expression is not as commonly used as other weather-related idioms, it still holds significance in American English.
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The idiom "rain buckets" is a commonly used expression in American English, typically used to describe heavy or excessive rainfall. The phrase "rain buckets" is thought to have originated from the literal image of rain falling heavily and collecting in buckets or pails.
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The idiom "put the brakes on" means to slow down or stop a process or action. It is often used to describe taking measures to control or limit something that is happening too quickly or becoming out of control.
The idiom "put an end to" means to bring something to a conclusion or stop it completely.
The idiom "put an end to" is a commonly used phrase in English. It means to stop or bring something to a close. It carries a sense of finality and resolution, making it a powerful expression in communication.
Unveiling Origins
The idiom "pour cold water on" is a commonly used phrase in the English language with a figurative meaning associated with discouragement or dampening enthusiasm. When someone "pours cold water on" an idea or a plan, they express skepticism, doubts, or criticism, effectively dampening the enthusiasm or excitement surrounding the matter. This idiom can be related to several other idioms, such as "pour oil on troubled waters", "put a damper on", "pour gasoline on the fire", "pour down the drain", and "rain on one's parade".
One possible theory for the origin of the phrase "pour cold water on" is rooted in the physical properties of water. Cold water has the ability to cool down or extinguish something that is hot or on fire. In a similar sense, when someone pours cold water on an idea or plan, they are metaphorically extinguishing the ardor or passion behind it, dampening its potential or likelihood of success.
The idiom "pour oil on troubled waters" can be used in a similar context to "pour cold water on". When someone pours oil on troubled waters, they are attempting to calm down or reduce the intensity of a conflict or disagreement. This can be seen as a way of dampening the negative emotions or tension surrounding a particular situation.
Another related idiom is "put a damper on", which means to lessen or diminish enthusiasm or excitement. This phrase shares a similar meaning with "pour cold water on", as both suggest a dampening effect on someone's enthusiasm or excitement towards a particular idea or plan. Using these idioms interchangeably can help convey the same message in different ways.
"Pour gasoline on the fire" is an idiom that has the opposite effect of "pour cold water on". While "pouring cold water on" an idea or plan implies dampening enthusiasm, "pouring gasoline on the fire" suggests adding fuel or intensity to a situation. This idiom can be used to describe someone's actions that contribute to escalating tensions or conflicts, rather than dampening them.
"Pour down the drain" is another idiom that can be related to "pour cold water on", but in a slightly different context. When something is poured down the drain, it is wasted or lost. Similarly, when someone pours cold water on an idea or plan, they are effectively rendering it ineffective or of no value. Both idioms convey the idea of something being wasted or undermined.
The idiom "rain on one's parade" is also related to "pour cold water on". Both idioms describe actions that dampen or spoil someone's excitement or good mood. While "pouring cold water on" an idea or plan focuses more on expressing skepticism or doubts, "raining on one's parade" emphasizes the act of spoiling someone's joy or enthusiasm. These idioms can be used interchangeably to convey a similar message.
The idiom "pour cold water on" is a commonly used phrase in the English language that signifies the act of discouraging or dampening enthusiasm towards an idea, plan, or excitement. Its origins may be rooted in the physical properties of water, but its usage has evolved to become a widely understood metaphorical phrase. By pouring cold water on something, individuals express skepticism or negativity, effectively extinguishing the passion or ardor surrounding it. This idiom remains prevalent in modern usage, reflecting its continued relevance and conveyance of discouragement.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "pour cold water on" can be used in a sentence:
1. When John shared his ambitious business plans, his skeptics poured cold water on his ideas, doubting their feasibility.
2. The teacher poured cold water on the students' excitement about a field trip by announcing that it had been canceled.
3. The team's victory celebration was cut short when their coach poured cold water on their enthusiasm, reminding them to stay focused for the next game.
More "Discouragement" idioms
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