dampener

put a dampener on (something)

To discourage, inhibit, or deter something; to make something less enjoyable, pleasant, or fun; to have a subduing or deadening effect on something. (A variant of "put a damper on something.") The foul weather really put a dampener on our picnic yesterday. Without question, this tax scandal has put a dampener on the senator's likelihood of being re-elected. CDs quickly became the dominant format for music, but when digital formats arrived soon thereafter, it put a dampener on CD sales just as quickly.
See also: dampener, on, put

put the dampener on (something)

To discourage or deter something; to make something less enjoyable, pleasant, or fun; to extinguish or lessen people's enthusiasm for something. (A less common variant of "put a dampener on something.") The foul weather really put the dampener on our picnic yesterday. Without question, this tax scandal has put the dampener on the senator's likelihood of being re-elected. CDs quickly became the dominant format for music, but when digital formats arrived soon thereafter, it put the dampener on CD sales just as quickly.
See also: dampener, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put a damper on something

or

put a dampener on something

BRITISH
COMMON If someone or something puts a damper on a situation, they stop it being as successful or as enjoyable as it could be. Unseasonably cool weather has put a damper on many plans for the day. Rooney's injury put a dampener on a fine victory for his team on Saturday. Note: This expression may refer to either of two meanings of `damper'. In a piano, a damper is a device which presses the strings and stops their sound. In a chimney, a damper is a movable metal plate which controls the amount of air getting to the fire, and so controls how fiercely the fire burns.
See also: damper, on, put, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

put a ˈdamper on something

(also put a ˈdampener on something) (informal) make an event, etc. less enjoyable or cheerful: The news of my father’s illness put a bit of a damper on the birthday celebrations.
A damper is a device in a piano that is used to reduce the level of the sound produced.
See also: damper, on, put, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put a damper on something

tv. to reduce the intensity of something, such as a problem. The death of the chief put a damper on the ceremony.
See also: damper, on, put, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a slue of (something)
  • a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • all for the best
  • a thing of the past
References in periodicals archive
Considering the impact of higher price cap on average WESM prices while also addressing the need of some facilities to stay financially afloat (primarily the peaking plants), PIPPA opined that a "customer price dampener' could be a viable alternative.
Power firms offer 'price dampener' measure to soften WESM spikes
Ruger's offering has very coarse threads running about 5" back from the muzzle and they're set up so one full turn of the dampener will move it about 1/4".
A mighty accurate mini: Ruger's Mini 14 target delivers
When the liquid pressure falls in the piping system, the pulsation dampener supplies extra pressure to the discharge between the pump strokes by displacing liquid by means of diaphragm movement.
Dampeners smooth the flow
One sorry soul put a bit of a dampener on things telling us: "Uch, it's been an age since my man's bothered me down there!" Thankfully we were cheered up by another who informed us that now she had no worries about getting pregnant, she and her man often enjoyed indulging themselves in some hanky-panky.
Sex talk really heated up in the steam room; Steamie talk
Even the cold and overcast weather conditions could not put a dampener on the occasion as fans crammed along the city's streets to acclaim the players, management and staff.
SWANS THRONG
General manager Stephen Good said: "The weather put a little bit of a dampener on things but it was still quite steady and the car park was full.
Zipping along for fun
THE absence of Ben Gordon did little to put a dampener on Great Britain's return home as they arrived in London to begin their final preparations for the Olympics.
Gordon stays away; SPORT SHORTS BASKETBALL
But the wash-out weather proved a dampener for the group's DIY chain Homebase, with comparable sales slumping by 8.3% in the quarter.
iPad eases Argos sales pressure; business Business briefing
chaos and a dismal weather forecast put a dampener on the start of the Jubilee weekend yesterday.
Traffic hell for holidayTRAFFIC
AN ANNUAL campaign has failed to put a dampener on reckless arsonists setting fire to Midland beauty spots.
Pleas to fire starters fall on deaf ears
WHILE defeat to Australia may have put a dampener on things, Jonathan Davies insists he has thoroughly enjoyed his first autumn campaign with Wales.
Davies still enjoys his time with Wales
RAIN failed to put a dampener on a day of free cricket coaching which was enjoyed across the generations.
Owzat for fun
The pneumatic tilt unit includes corner supports to properly locate racks, pneumatic actuators and a hydraulic dampener. The unit can be furnished with steel-reinforced accordion safety skirts and either pedestal-mounted hand controls or foot-mounted controls.
60-degree pneumatic tilt unit
GLANTRAETH put a dampener on Queens Park's first outing at their Queensway Sports Centre.
Football: Queens Park 3 Glantraeth 4 (aet
As Britons jet off to summer sun spots Panorama (10pm, BBC1) puts a dampener on prospects with a disturbing report on hidden dangers in aircraft wiring.
[6] PICK OF THE DAY