thrill killer
1
8.9
- noun
- /θrɪl ˈkɪlər/
- Informal
:
aguafiestas
- Don't be a thrill killer!
Examples
-
His lack of enthusiasm was the ultimate thrill killer for our plans.
-
The rain is a thrill killer!
-
Heavy regulations can be a real thrill killer at amusement parks.
-
Unexpected delays acted as a thrill killer for the event's atmosphere.
-
The unexpected rainstorm was a thrill killer for our outdoor party.
-
His constant complaining acted as a thrill killer, making everyone feel less enthusiastic.
-
Traffic delays can be a thrill killer when you're heading to an exciting concert.
Synonyms
21
7.9
A person who spoils fun for others
8
6.9
A person who stops other people from having fun
4
6.5
A person who ruins other people's fun by complaining or refusing to join
1
9.9
A thing that suddenly ruins excitement or pleasure
A person or thing that makes a situation less exciting
A person who stops others from having fun by complaining
Antonyms
How Fun-Spoiling
- Offensive
8
6.9
- Informal
1
8.9
- Offensive
4
6.5
- Informal
16
6.4
- Offensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
thrill + killer
The meaning 'something that spoils excitement' is directly derivable from combining 'thrill' (a sudden feeling of excitement) with 'killer' used in the agentive/metaphorical sense 'one/thing that kills'. This noun–noun compounding and the metaphorical ‘kill X = destroy X’ pattern is common in English (e.g. mood killer, party killer) and is likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Thrill killer comes from the plain picture of a killer stopping a thrill, like someone who suddenly ruins a fun moment by saying something dull or causing a problem. So it means 'a person or thing that spoils excitement'.