泼冷水

HSK 7-9

pō lěngshuǐ

to pour cold water on

(fig.) to dampen sb's enthusiasm

他本来很有激情，但经理泼冷水后就变得消极了。

tā běn lái yǒu hǎo jīqíng, dàn jīlǐ pō lěngshuǐ hòu jiù biàn de jīngxī le.

Originally very enthusiastic, but after his boss doused him with cold water, he became消极.

她对这个项目很有信心，但领导泼冷水后她开始怀疑。

tā duì zhège xiàngmù hěn yǒu xīnxìn, dàn lǐdào pō lěngshuǐ hòu tā kāi始 de yíxiǎng.

She was confident about the project, but her boss's cold shower made her start doubting.