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
Traders received good news when second-quarter GDP data came in stronger than economists anticipated, though Nvidia's post-earnings slide put a damper on the market's good vibes.
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Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Lingering effects from Erin Meanwhile, lingering rough surf and dangerous rip currents caused by Hurricane Erin continue to put a damper on many beach plans along the East Coast.
—ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
The dip in overall volumes put a damper on revenues—and ultimately, profit—for the container shipping firm.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 21 Aug. 2025
Reports also indicated this might put a damper on the possible reconciliation attempts between Prince William and Prince Harry, though other reports have indicated the brothers might actually find a way to put their issues aside, considering King Charles’ health issues.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 2025
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Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Lingering effects from Erin Meanwhile, lingering rough surf and dangerous rip currents caused by Hurricane Erin continue to put a damper on many beach plans along the East Coast.
—ABC News, 24 Aug. 2025
The dip in overall volumes put a damper on revenues—and ultimately, profit—for the container shipping firm.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 21 Aug. 2025
Reports also indicated this might put a damper on the possible reconciliation attempts between Prince William and Prince Harry, though other reports have indicated the brothers might actually find a way to put their issues aside, considering King Charles’ health issues.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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