dampen the spirits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dampen the spirits" is a valid expression used in English.
It is an idiom which is used to convey that someone’s enthusiasm or excitement about something has been diminished or reduced. Example: The bad news from the doctor dampened the spirits of the entire family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

This doesn't seem to dampen the spirits of the people who call Happy home.

The Guardian - Travel

The rain fell hard but it was unable to dampen the spirits or wash out the programme.

The Guardian - Film

Rainy weather could not dampen the spirits of MIT alumni who returned to campus in June for Tech Reunions 2002.

MIT Technology Review

The growing list of wounded players was enough to dampen the spirits that may have been raised by Ewing's words.

The New York Times - Sports

But inclement weather — and the fact that the University ­remained open and most classes met as scheduled — ­didn't seem to dampen the spirits of these unidentified students.

Princeton University

Poor weather could not dampen the spirits of 14,500 people who welcomed the sun at Stonehenge at dawn this morning.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It did little to dampen the spirit on board.

The Guardian

It did not seem to dampen the spirit of fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Torrential rains then intermittent showers could not dampen the spirit of the 2012 Rodman Ride for Kids!

Harvard University

Not even the firecrackers thrown at the crowd by menacing Chávez supporters on motorcycles could dampen the spirit.

The New York Times

As I said above, few things can dampen the spirit of a Scrabbler than a vowel-rich rack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dampen the spirits" when you want to express that something has reduced someone's enthusiasm or joy, but not completely destroyed it. It implies a temporary or partial lessening of positive feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "dampen the spirits" to describe something becoming physically wet. "Dampen" in this phrase refers to emotions, not moisture. For physical wetness, use "dampen" followed by the object, such as "dampen the cloth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dampen the spirits" functions as a verb phrase, where "dampen" acts as the verb and "the spirits" serves as the direct object. This phrase describes the act of reducing enthusiasm, joy, or morale. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dampen the spirits" is a common and grammatically sound English phrase used to express the reduction of enthusiasm or joy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Analysis of Ludwig examples shows that it's most frequently used in news and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Related phrases offer nuanced alternatives, and understanding common errors helps refine usage. Ludwig's diverse examples provide further insight into the phrase's application and meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminish enthusiasm

Replaces "spirits" with a more direct synonym for excitement.

take the wind out of sails

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the sudden loss of momentum or confidence.

lower morale

Focuses more directly on the overall emotional state of a group.

pour cold water on

Suggests actively discouraging a plan or idea.

deflate expectations

Focuses on reducing anticipation or hope for a positive outcome.

throw a wet blanket on

Highlights the act of spoiling someone else's fun or excitement.

discourage optimism

Highlights the reduction of positive expectations.

curb enthusiasm

Emphasizes restraint rather than a complete reduction of spirits.

sap the energy

Shifts the focus to the depletion of physical or mental vigor.

cast a pall

Suggests a gloomier, more pervasive sense of sadness or foreboding.

FAQs

How can I use "dampen the spirits" in a sentence?

You can use "dampen the spirits" to describe how something reduced enthusiasm or joy. For example, "The news of the project's cancellation dampened the spirits of the team".

What are some alternatives to "dampen the spirits"?

You can use alternatives like "lower morale", "diminish enthusiasm", or "take the wind out of sails" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "dampen the spirits" or "dampen the spirit"?

"Dampen the spirits" is typically used when referring to a group of people or a general atmosphere. "Dampen the spirit" is appropriate when referring to an individual's feeling or a specific ideal. Both are correct depending on the intended meaning, but 'spirits' is more common.

What's the difference between "dampen the spirits" and "discourage optimism"?

"Dampen the spirits" suggests a reduction in overall happiness or enthusiasm, while "discourage optimism" specifically implies a decrease in positive expectations or hope for the future.