wet sock

wet sock

1. Someone who is not interesting or convivial, or who dampens other people's fun or enjoyment; a killjoy. More commonly called a "wet blanket." Don't invite Nicole to the party. She's such a wet sock that she'll probably just sit around complaining the whole time. David was tired of being called a wet sock by his friends just because he doesn't drink alcohol.
2. A weak, spineless, or cowardly person. We need someone strong to lead this company into the future, not some wet sock who's afraid of confrontation. I always thought my dad was a bit of a wet sock growing up, but I came to appreciate his empathy and humility as I got older.
See also: sock, wet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wet sock

and wet rag
n. a wimp; a useless jerk. (see also rubber sock.) Don’t be such a wet sock! Stand up for your rights! Willard is a wet rag, but he’s kind and helpful.
See also: sock, wet
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • wet noodle
  • the life of the party
  • life of the party
  • life of the party, the
  • skeleton at the feast
  • get a kick out of (someone or something)
  • get a kick out of someone/something
  • get a kick out of something
  • get a buzz out of
  • get a buzz out of someone/something
References in classic literature
Hanging over the top of the gate like a wet sock, Lord Dawlish watched her go.
I seen him travel all day with wet socks at forty five below.
As I look down at my feet I recall how the shoes were too small and my toes poked out exposing my wet sock. Those were the days..
The moment one starts explaining that the government is the custodian of its share that it skims off the national wealth, and can only distribute these particular funds at its discretion, a wet sock appears to be pulled over the face of whoever one tries to educate.
As I thrashed around in my wet sock of a sleeping bag, it dawned on me that a sprinkler had punched its way through my flimsy tent floor.
The air smells of wet sock. I stagger to the galley, cram, a couple of biscuits into my mouth and look around for somewhere to sleep.
Another property is dry bulb temperature (d.b.), which is commonly called just "air temperature." The term dry bulb comes from the appearance of the thermometer bulge as compared to the "wet bulb (w.b.)." When the enlarged end at the bottom of a glass thermometer is covered with a small wet sock it is considered a "wet bulb." These four properties, d.b., w.b., d.p.
If I am silent, I can here the soft thud of their landing, like a wet sock being tossed to the bathroom floor.
"I could see the shocked look on his televised face as I whirled a wet sock full of sludge around my head and let it fly.
Just before placing bottles outside, immerse each in a bowl of cold tap water to wet sock.
Our duck club in northeast Arkansas is known in duck club parlance as a "wet sock" club, meaning it is in no way swank or fancy.
They're about as threatening as an attack by someone brandishing a wet sock.
What a week it's been - a bit like living in a wet sock. Spare a thought for our Westside friends who are having some kind of Atlantis experience in the most unpleasant way.
It brings you back down to earth when you are hit in the face by a wet sock."