Word: 泼冷水 (pōlěngshuǐ) Traditional: 潑冷水 泼冷水 dictionary entry pōlěngshuǐ to pour cold water on; to dampen sb's enthusiasm Full dictionary entry for 泼冷水 Example sentences using 泼冷水 2 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 他想创业，你别给他泼冷水。 Tā xiǎng chuàngyè, nǐ bié gěi tā pōlěngshuǐ. He wants to start a business, so don't dampen his enthusiasm. 别给孩子泼冷水，让他试试吧。 Bié gěi háizi pōlěngshuǐ, ràng tā shì shì ba. Don't dampen the child's enthusiasm, let him give it a try.