Pour Cold Water On Meaning, Usage With Example, Synonyms

The idiom ‘Pour cold water on’ meaning is to describe an act that is discouraging or dampening enthusiasm or expresses disapproval or skepticism to any plan or idea or suggestion. 

When someone pours cold water on someone or something, they are basically criticizing or discouraging their actions, often causing a loss of enthusiasm and excitement. 

Usage With Example

If someone is sharing their career or business plans with excitement and the other person responds negatively, by discouraging, they are pouring cold water in their ideas or thoughts, leading to the deflation of the person’s enthusiasm. Here are some examples of this idiom which will give you ideas about how to use this phrase appropriately.

• ‘Monica was super excited about her upcoming art exhibition, but her friends poured cold water on her enthusiasm and excitement by criticizing her choice of equipment and questioning her overall concept.’
• ‘The dubious manager poured cold water on the ideas proposed by the entire time, making  them feel remorse and crushed.’
• ‘The CEO poured cold water on employees demand for the proposal of a 5-day working schedule.’
• ‘The movie critics poured cold water on the highly anticipated blockbuster, pointing out flaws in the plot and lackluster performances from the lead actors.’

Pour Cold Water On Meaning Synonyms and Similar Words

The phrase ‘Pour cold water on’ has a lot of similar words and synonyms that can be used in different contexts and situations. Some of the common similar words to this idiom are:

• Beat down
• Bother
• Dampen
• Daunt
• Afflict

Pour Cold Water On Meaning Quiz

The coach poured cold water on the soccer team’s demand of

1. Changing the practice schedule
2. Joining a new club
3. Taking a temporary leave from the sport

Ans. Changing the practice schedule

This was all about the idiom pour cold water on meaning with example. Hope you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu.