damper
/ˈdæmpə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdæmpər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdam-pər/ (ame, mw)
damper — noun
- dampersingular
- dampersplural
1. something that makes a happy or exciting situation feel less enjoyable — most of
something that makes a happy or exciting situation feel less enjoyable — most often used in the phrase 'put a damper on something'
Sudden rain put a damper on Clive's outdoor party, but the guests moved inside and still enjoyed themselves.
idiomatic phrase: put a damper on [event]
Hearing about budget cuts put a damper on the team's celebration after their successful product launch.
Phoebe tried not to let her cousin's rude remark put a damper on the family dinner.
The power outage put a damper on the wedding reception, though guests lit candles and carried on.
Nothing could put a damper on Graham's mood after he received the acceptance letter from the university.
- wet blanket
more informal; usually refers to a person who spoils the fun for others
- killjoy
refers only to a person; 'damper' usually describes a situation or event
- buzzkill
very informal slang; mainly North American, used for anything that ruins a good mood
- boost
something that lifts spirits or increases enjoyment
文法句型
put a damper on + something
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the phrase 'put a damper on something'. The subject is usually an event, piece of news, or circumstance that spoils people's mood.
常見錯誤
2. a part inside a machine or vehicle that absorbs shaking and stops unwanted movem
a part inside a machine or vehicle that absorbs shaking and stops unwanted movement
The mechanic replaced the damper in Jin's car engine after it started shaking at high speeds.
Tall buildings in earthquake zones often have large dampers near the top to reduce swaying.
Hakim noticed the washing machine was quieter after the repair team fitted a new damper.
The suspension damper on Fatima's motorcycle made the ride much smoother on rough roads.
Engineers installed a tuned mass damper inside the bridge to stop it from twisting in strong winds.
- shock absorber
a specific type of damper used in vehicle suspension systems
- vibration dampener
a broader term; 'damper' is the standard shorter form in engineering
用法筆記
Subject is typically a mechanical or structural system such as an engine, building, or bridge.
3. a flat metal plate inside a chimney or stove pipe that you can open or close to
a flat metal plate inside a chimney or stove pipe that you can open or close to control how much air reaches the fire
Santiago opened the damper before lighting the fireplace so the smoke would go up the chimney.
Closing the damper halfway kept the wood stove burning slowly through the cold night.
collocation: closing the damper to control a fire
Every autumn, Amara checks that the chimney damper opens freely before the first fire.
Smoke began filling the room because the damper was stuck shut and could not be opened.
Ezra turned the damper on the old stove to let more air reach the fire.
- flue valve
more technical; used mainly in heating and ventilation contexts
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (VIBRATION REDUCER): this damper controls airflow, not vibration. Found in fireplaces, chimneys, and wood stoves.
4. a small padded piece inside a piano that rests on a string to stop the sound whe
a small padded piece inside a piano that rests on a string to stop the sound when a player lifts their finger from the key
When Ingrid released the piano keys, the dampers fell back onto the strings and silenced them.
The tuner adjusted the dampers inside the upright piano because the notes were ringing far too long.
Yuna pressed the sustain pedal, which lifts all the dampers away from the strings at once.
A sticky damper on middle C made the note keep humming after the key was released.
- piano mute
less common; 'damper' is the standard term in piano mechanics
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (VIBRATION REDUCER): this damper stops musical sound, not mechanical vibration. Specific to pianos.
5. a plain, flat loaf prepared with just flour, water, and no yeast — traditionally
a plain, flat loaf prepared with just flour, water, and no yeast — traditionally cooked in campfire ashes, especially in the Australian bush
Tamar baked damper over hot campfire coals in the outback and shared it with her friends.
Australian English: traditional bush cooking
The guide showed the group how to wrap damper dough onto sticks and roast them over the coals.
At the Australian heritage festival, visitors lined up to taste freshly made damper with butter and tea.
Kwame had never tried damper before, but he found the campfire bread surprisingly filling and good.
- bush bread
a broader Australian term for any bread baked in the bush; damper is the most common variety
用法筆記
Primarily used in Australian English. Not widely known outside Australia and New Zealand. Unrelated etymologically to the other senses — it comes from the method of 'damping down' campfire ashes before baking.