English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
A wet blanket
Meaning
The idiom "a wet blanket" refers to a person who is overly negative, critical or unenthusiastic about something. They are often the ones who bring down the mood of others by dampening their spirits with their dampened attitude and lack of enthusiasm.
Usage
- The party was lively and fun until John arrived; he was such a wet blanket.
- My boss is always a wet blanket, he kills all the excitement in the team.
- Sarah was a real wet blanket on our camping trip, she complained about everything.
- I love going to concerts with my friends, but sometimes they can be a wet blanket and ruin the fun.
- The city is known for its cold weather, and people often complain about it being a wet blanket.
Roots and History
The idiom "a wet blanket" dates back to at least the 19th century in English literature. In his book "The History of the English Language", Sir William Craigie writes that the phrase has been used since the 1820s. The origin of the phrase is not entirely clear, but it may have come from the idea of someone putting a wet blanket over something to smother or dampen it down.
Synonyms in English
- A drag
- A dampener
- A killjoy
- A raincloud
- A wrench in the works
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: Un pato feo (Ugly duckling) - This is an idiom used to describe someone who initially seems uninteresting or boring, but eventually becomes exciting or engaging as they grow and develop.
- French: Un nageur en cartolite (A swimmer in paper) - This idiom refers to someone who is thin-skinned and easily offended. They tend to be very sensitive to criticism and can become very upset when someone says something negative about them.
- German: Eine Dampfnudel (A damp sponge) - This idiom is similar to the English "a wet blanket" and refers to someone who brings down the mood of others with their negative attitude.
- Italian: Un falco di pioggia (A rain hawk) - This idiom refers to someone who is always negative and gloomy, bringing rain to others' days.
- Japanese: 恶めの言葉 (Ki no itte) - This idiom translates to "bad words" or "bad speech". It is used to describe someone who is overly critical or negative in their communication style.