wet blanket
a person who spoils the fun
TRANSLATION
wet blanket = der Spielverderber, der Miesmacher, der Dämpfer --- GOOGLE INDEX wet blanket: approximately 525,000 hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
The government's attempts to throw a WET BLANKET over the celebrations - insisting that the parade was on a weekday and that employers should not to allow their employees time off - had failed…
(The Guardian)
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He said the police presence is not meant to throw a WET BLANKET on the festivities. "Our job is to make sure everyone is having a good time and everyone is safe," Jones said.
(The Times Herald, Port Huron, Michigan)
(The Guardian)
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He said the police presence is not meant to throw a WET BLANKET on the festivities. "Our job is to make sure everyone is having a good time and everyone is safe," Jones said.
(The Times Herald, Port Huron, Michigan)
Did you
know?
wet blanket
noun phrase
- a person who says or does something that stops other people enjoying themselves
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
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WORD ORIGIN
Wet blanket is a rather descriptive expression that indicates when someone, or something, spoils another's enjoyment. The phrase, which originated in the 1800s, is thought to come from the act of throwing a wet blanket over a fire to extinguish it. It may also derive from the unpleasant thought of sleeping under a wet blanket.
The expression, which of course has a negative tone, is also a humorous way to make fun of someone who takes things too seriously.
There are other ways to describe someone who's a wet blanket, including:
a killjoy - literally someone who "kills" the joy of something
a spoilsport - sport in this context means to play around and have fun
a sourpuss - puss is slang for the mouth or face, thus a sourpuss is someone who has a sour look on their face
a party pooper - this expression is used for someone who declines to participate in a group activity, thus spoiling the fun
Or, instead of calling someone a wet blanket, you can say that they put a damper on something.
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SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION
Say something like:
"The company's decision to let go hundreds of workers put a wet blanket on an otherwise successful year."
Thanks to Herbert for suggesting today's word!
noun phrase
- a person who says or does something that stops other people enjoying themselves
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
---
WORD ORIGIN
Wet blanket is a rather descriptive expression that indicates when someone, or something, spoils another's enjoyment. The phrase, which originated in the 1800s, is thought to come from the act of throwing a wet blanket over a fire to extinguish it. It may also derive from the unpleasant thought of sleeping under a wet blanket.
The expression, which of course has a negative tone, is also a humorous way to make fun of someone who takes things too seriously.
There are other ways to describe someone who's a wet blanket, including:
a killjoy - literally someone who "kills" the joy of something
a spoilsport - sport in this context means to play around and have fun
a sourpuss - puss is slang for the mouth or face, thus a sourpuss is someone who has a sour look on their face
a party pooper - this expression is used for someone who declines to participate in a group activity, thus spoiling the fun
Or, instead of calling someone a wet blanket, you can say that they put a damper on something.
---
SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION
Say something like:
"The company's decision to let go hundreds of workers put a wet blanket on an otherwise successful year."
Thanks to Herbert for suggesting today's word!
