JLPT N2Idioms
水を差す
- Meaning
- うまくいっていることに横から邪魔を入れる
- Explanation
- "水を差す" means to interfere from the side with something going smoothly and dampen its momentum. It is the opposite kind of action from c1 "cheer on and encourage." It differs from c2 "derail the conversation" in that the emphasis is on the act of hindering.
Original Japanese explanation
「水を差す」は、順調に進んでいる物事に横から邪魔を入れて勢いをそぐことです。c1「応援して励ます」とは逆の働きかけです。c2「話を脱線させる」とは異なり、妨げる行為に重点があります。
Quick check
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