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
Recent Examples on the Web
The end of the health emergency and return-to-office orders put a damper on this influx of out-of-state newcomers, but saw an uptick in international migration as people started traveling again.
—
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
But a lot of music fans, this writer included, deal with disability, health and/or mobility issues that can put a damper on the typical festival experience.
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Rain was not going to put a damper on this year’s edition of the largest and most storied car show on the East Coast, and to ensure that was the case, the 30th Anniversary of the Amelia was moved up a day to Saturday, March 8—a decision made less than 48 hours prior.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2025
Still, there is one specific downside that can really put a damper on my seasonal bliss—a sunburnt scalp.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for put a damper on
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Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
But a lot of music fans, this writer included, deal with disability, health and/or mobility issues that can put a damper on the typical festival experience.
—Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Rain was not going to put a damper on this year’s edition of the largest and most storied car show on the East Coast, and to ensure that was the case, the 30th Anniversary of the Amelia was moved up a day to Saturday, March 8—a decision made less than 48 hours prior.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2025
Still, there is one specific downside that can really put a damper on my seasonal bliss—a sunburnt scalp.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 6 May 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 2 Jun. 2025.
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