break the spell
break the spell — idiom
1. to end a magical effect or to stop a captivating atmosphere that has held people
to end a magical effect or to stop a captivating atmosphere that has held people's attention, so that ordinary reality returns.
The sudden ringing of the fire alarm broke the spell of the wedding ceremony.
Loud barking from a dog outside broke the spell of their quiet evening.
used with a loud or disruptive noise as the subject
A child in the audience shouted a question, breaking the spell of the storyteller's tale.
Yuki's phone rang loudly during the concert, breaking the spell for everyone in the hall.
- snap someone out of it
more informal; refers to ending a trance-like state in a person rather than an atmosphere
- bring back to earth
figurative; focuses on returning from pleasant fantasy to mundane reality
- ruin the moment
broader; not limited to magical or enchanting contexts
- cast a spell
literal opposite — to create the magical enchantment
- hold spellbound
to keep someone's attention completely captivated