put a damper on
idiom
: to make (something) less strong, active, or exciting
His bad mood put a damper on the celebration.
He was putting a bit of a damper on her spirits.
Examples of put a damper on in a Sentence
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Retrogrades aren’t fun, but almost nothing can put a damper on the sweetness of Pisces season—and you’ll be especially motivated to pursue the good life around March 7, as passionate Mars makes a lucky trine to the sun in your sign.
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Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
This will likely put a damper on your plans, so keep an open mind.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
If restaurants continue to implement surcharges for eggs, that could eventually put a damper on demand.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025
The economy has put a damper on the independent film industry, the arthouse industry, probably more than elsewhere.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
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Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
This will likely put a damper on your plans, so keep an open mind.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
If restaurants continue to implement surcharges for eggs, that could eventually put a damper on demand.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025
The economy has put a damper on the independent film industry, the arthouse industry, probably more than elsewhere.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put a damper on
Cite this Entry
“Put a damper on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put%20a%20damper%20on. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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