dampen

dampen down

1. To make a place or thing wet, especially in order to prevent, halt, or extinguish a fire. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dampen" and "down." The flames may be under control, but if we don't dampen down the burnt materials and eliminate hot spots, it could start up again soon. The fire was mostly contained by 5 AM, with firefighters dampening the remaining areas down by 6.
2. To have a stifling, subduing, or deadening effect on something, such as an action or emotion. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dampen" and "down." The Federal Reserve's announcement seems to have dampened down the economy's recent growth. Hearing more details about the project certainly dampened my enthusiasm down for it.
See also: dampen, down

dampen off

1. To make something slightly wet. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dampen" and "off." Workers are dampening off the paths to help keep dust under control during the hot, arid months.
2. Of a plant or seed, to die or fail to grow due to overexposure to water. I'm worried that days of torrential rain will cause the flowers I just planted to dampen off.
3. To kill a seed or young plant by overwatering them or exposing them to too much moisture. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dampen" and "off." You shouldn't water the seedlings more than once a day if you want to avoid dampening them off.
4. To remove something by making a surface or material damp. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dampen" and "off." The lacquer is resistant to stains, so you should be able to simply dampen off any marks or blemishes left from liquids.
5. To become stifled, subdued, or reduced in intensity. Consumers' interest in the product dampened off when it came to light that a newer model was already in development. The economy seems to be dampening off in light of the Federal Reserve's recent forecast.
6. To have a stifling, subduing, or deadening effect on something, such as an action or emotion. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dampen" and "off." We just installed new sound-absorbing windows to help dampen off all the road noise we hear during the night. Hearing more details about the project certainly dampened my enthusiasm off for it. If your stove is burning a bit too hot, you can spread a thin layer of ashes over the top to help dampen it off.
See also: dampen, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • rescue from
  • rescue from (someone or something)
  • angle
  • angling
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • ask back
  • (Is) this taken?
  • interpret for
  • interpret for (someone)
  • identify with
References in periodicals archive
It has to be said that I never needed tests to dampen MY enthusiasm for it.
Debbie Johnson column: League losers
E-business activities are expected to dampen employment requirements for marketing and sales occupations.
Employment impact of electronic business
Even cycles of financial speculation and excess are likely to be dampened because of the heightened concern for balance-sheet rectitude.
Slouching toward a global economic revolution
Arun Singh, lead economist, Dun & Bradstreet India, said, 'The rise in lending rates in general and borrowing cost in specific can dampen the industrial production and the revival in the domestic demand.
Report says India to be impacted by high borrowing costs and weak rupee
Firefighters used a hose reel to dampen down the rest of the skip to prevent it from being lit again.
Fire crew tackles skip fire
"I don't want to dampen expectations and dampen the mood," he said.
Can't blame the fans for Euro dream; WANDERERS GO NAP AS THE POTTERS GO TO PIECES
Ms Bennett claims there should be no rush to dampen the economy by raising interest rates.
Interest rates 'should stay at record low'
A housing expert has said the recent interest rate rise is unlikely to dampen the Welsh housing market.
House sales still buoyant
Caption: The steamy July weather did not dampen the excitement surrounding the official groundbreaking for Westminster Communities' Cedar Gate at Livingston on July 18.
The steamy July weather did not dampen the excitement surrounding the official groundbreaking for Westminster Communities' Cedar Gate at Livingston on July 18
The VRS dampers have a three-stage assembly that uses compression springs to dampen impact and shock load, a rubber damper to reduce torsional force and grease with the spring pockets to reduce transmission noise.
Torsional dampers
They're benefiting from the drop in the dollar, but it does dampen the effect of this dollar decline for the United States.
The conscience of the Fed: first he rose to become the Federal Reserve's top staffer. Now he helps set the pace as one of Washington's newest Fed governors. TIE's exclusive interview with Donald Kohn. (The United States)
A volatile stock market and the wave of adverse publicity affecting Internet shares have failed to dampen investor enthusiasm for the 'new economy', according to a new survey.
Legal & Financial: Dot.comfidence is still high
Acting to dampen overall growth in 1993 will be the continuing shift of resources from defense to nondefense industries.
Statement by Thomas M. Hoenig, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, March 10, 1993
Global Banking News-November 17, 2017--BNP chair's comments dampen speculation on Commerzbank tie-up
BNP chair's comments dampen speculation on Commerzbank tie-up
But fire service officials hope predicted rainfall over the next few days will dampen moorland.
Rain arrives to help moorland firefighters