Dictionary

wet-blanket en · VERB

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To disparage, belittle, or remove the satisfaction and joy from; to act as a wet blanket towards.
   • Possibly the world had not encouraged him so much as he hoped ; his tone is that of- a man whose enthusiasm had been wet-blanketed by adverse criticism. 1893, William Lyon Phelps, The Beginnings of the English Romantic Movement:
   • A second significant enemy commando raid further wet-blanketed satisfaction over the reopening of Highway 4. 1997, Wilfred P. Deac, Road to the Killing Fields: The Cambodian War of 1970-1975, →ISBN:
   • A few other topics of general interest were introduced by Mr. Brooke and wet-blanketed by Mrs. Brooke, and conversation languished. 1869, Louisa May Alcott, Little Women:
   • But if a single syllable had been breathed to Papa he would have wet-blanketed the whole adventure: he was much too strict. 1935, Ernst Lothar, Willa Muir, The Loom of Justice, page 95:

Forms