put a damper on (something)

put a damper 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. The foul weather really put a damper on our picnic yesterday. Without question, this tax scandal has put a damper on the senator's likelihood of being re-elected. The construction happening near our building has really put a damper on sales this month.
See also: damper, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put a damper on something

Fig. to have a dulling or numbing influence on something. The bad news really put a damper on everything. The rainy weather put a damper on our picnic.
See also: damper, on, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put a damper on

Discourage, dishearten, deter, as in Grandpa's death put a damper on our Christmas holidays. This idiom employs the noun damper in the sense of "something that damps or depresses the spirits," a usage dating from the mid-1700s.
See also: damper, on, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

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 (or the) damper (or dampener) on

have a depressing, subduing, or inhibiting effect on someone or something.
See also: damper, on, put
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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