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.

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But that pretty much put a damper on getting back to work. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025 In the absence of data that might put a damper on the party going on in stocks right now, Q3 earnings reports are likely to lift stocks further. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025 The acquisition of Norman Powell could put a damper on some of the playing time once Herro returns, but Mitchell should still be a big part of the rotation. Stan Son, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Ukraine’s new strategy for Russia may put a damper on all of that. Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for put a damper on

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“Put a damper on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put%20a%20damper%20on. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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