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泼冷水

pō lěng shuǐ

HSK 7–9

Meaning

  • to pour cold water on
  • (fig.) to dampen sb's enthusiasm

Definition

比喻打击别人的热情或积极性，使人泄气。

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

Usage

常用于表达对他人计划、想法或热情的否定或打击，多用于口语。

Often used to express disapproval or discouragement of someone's plans, ideas, or enthusiasm, commonly in spoken language.

Examples

  • 1 他刚想创业，朋友就泼冷水，说肯定会失败。 (As soon as he wanted to start a business, his friend poured cold water on it, saying it would definitely fail.)
  • 2 别总给我泼冷水，我也需要鼓励。 (Don't always pour cold water on me; I need encouragement too.)
  • 3 老师对学生的创意泼冷水，导致大家都不敢再提建议。 (The teacher poured cold water on the students' creativity, causing everyone to dare not make suggestions anymore.)
  • 4 她兴致勃勃地分享旅行计划，却被家人泼冷水。 (She excitedly shared her travel plans, but her family poured cold water on them.)
  • 5 虽然很多人泼冷水，但他依然坚持自己的梦想。 (Although many people poured cold water on him, he still persisted in his dream.)

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