Meaning
To throw cold water on / To put a damper on
Example
Ele está sempre jogando água fria nas ideias dela.
He's always throwing cold water on her ideas.
Origin
The image is bodily and instant: a bucket of cold water dumped on someone snuffs out their heat and excitement in a heartbeat. To jogar um balde de água fria ("to throw a bucket of cold water") is, figuratively, to kill someone's enthusiasm with bad news or a flat refusal.
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More idioms
Acertar na moscaTo guess correctly / To hit the nail on the headAmigo da onçaA fake/false friendAndar na linhaTo toe the line / To behave properlyArmar um barracoTo cause a public sceneRodar a baianaTo cause a public scene / To go ballisticArrumar sarna pra se coçarTo ask for troubleArrastar as asasTo hit on someone / To flirtAbrir o jogoTo come clean / To open upArregaçar as mangasTo roll up one's sleeves / To get to workAgarrar com unhas e dentesTo hold on for dear life / To seize an opportunity