泼冷水 (pō lěng shuǐ) — to dampen someone's enthusiasm, to discourage (by criticism or negativity)
Definition
An idiom meaning to dampen someone's enthusiasm, usually with words (not actions). 打击 can be physical or a general hit to morale; 泼冷水 is specifically verbal discouragement that kills excitement.
phrase
to dampen someone's enthusiasmto discourage (by criticism or negativity)
Examples
- 泼冷水，。Bié zǒng shì gěi bié rén de jì huà pō lěng shuǐ, duō gǔ lì yí xià.Don't always pour cold water on other people's plans; encourage them more.
- ，泼冷水。Tā měi cì dōu hěn rè qíng, dàn zǒng yǒu rén duì tā pō lěng shuǐ.He is always enthusiastic, but there's always someone pouring cold water on him.
- ，泼冷水。Wǒ zhī dào zhè ge xiǎng fǎ bù wán měi, dàn nǐ yě bié pō lěng shuǐ a.I know this idea isn't perfect, but don't pour cold water on it either.
Appears in
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