put3 laang5 seoi2潑冷水泼冷水

Jyutpingput3 laang5 seoi2

Yaleput láahng séui

語句Uncommon

Definition

To dampen someone's enthusiasm; to throw cold water on someone or something.

colloquialemotioncommunication

How it's used

This expression is almost always used when someone feels the need to offer a harsh reality check or a pessimistic opinion that ruins a positive atmosphere. It carries a sense of social awareness, as speakers often preface it with an apology or a disclaimer to soften the blow of their negativity. It is a very common way to describe someone who is being a killjoy or a wet blanket in a social or professional setting.

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好hoi1開sam1心gong2講gan2緊go3個gai3計waak6劃，nei5你zou6做mat1乜put3潑keoi5佢laang5冷seoi2水aa4呀？

He was happily talking about his plan, why did you have to dampen his spirits?

m4唔hai6係ngo5我soeng2想put3潑laang5冷seoi2水，bat1不gwo3過ni1呢go3個fong1方faat3法zan1真hai6係haang4行m4唔tung1通。

It is not that I want to be a wet blanket, but this method really won't work.

Common phrases

zyun1專dang1登put3潑laang5冷seoi2水

deliberately dampen someone's enthusiasm

m4唔hou2好put3潑laang5冷seoi2水

don't be a wet blanket

Common mistake

Learners often use this as a direct translation for any kind of criticism, but it specifically refers to dampening enthusiasm or optimism rather than just pointing out a minor error or providing constructive feedback.