What Does "Pour Cold Water On" Mean?
"Pour cold water on" is an English idiom. It means "to discourage or dampen enthusiasm for an idea, plan, or proposal."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "pour cold water on" used in a sentence:- He tried to pour cold water on their excitement by listing all the potential problems with their project.
- Her parents poured cold water on her dream of becoming an artist and insisted she pursue a more 'practical' career.
- Don't let anyone pour cold water on your aspirations; believe in yourself.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Pour Cold Water On" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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