killjoy
/ˈkɪldʒɔɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɪldʒɔɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkil-ˌjȯi/ (ame, mw)
killjoy — noun
- killjoysingular
- killjoysplural
1. someone whose mood or behaviour ruins the good time everyone else is having at a
someone whose mood or behaviour ruins the good time everyone else is having at a party, gathering, or shared activity
Ishaan refused to dance at the wedding and looked like a real killjoy.
predicative: be a killjoy
Don't be such a killjoy, Valentina, let the children stay up for the fireworks.
imperative: don't be such a killjoy
The neighbours called the police about the music, which made them the killjoys of the whole block.
I hate to be a killjoy, but the last train home leaves in fifteen minutes.
Omar got tired of being labelled the office killjoy whenever he reminded colleagues about deadlines.
- spoilsport
near-synonym; slightly more childish in tone, often used about games
- wet blanket
informal idiom; emphasises dampening enthusiasm rather than active criticism
- party pooper
very informal, mostly American; lighter and more affectionate
- buzzkill
modern slang; the act or person that abruptly ends a good mood
- life of the party
the person who creates the fun rather than spoiling it
文法句型
be a killjoy
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, very often introduced with 'be a' or 'such a'. Frequently softened by the speaker with 'I hate to be a killjoy, but…' before delivering bad news or a practical limit.