put the kibosh on (something)

To impede, spoil, or prevent something from happening or continuing. News of unrest in the area really put the kibosh on our plans to vacation there. The manager put the kibosh on our staff party, saying it would cost too much.

See also: kibosh, on, put

put the kibosh on someone or something

Fig. to squelch someone or something; to veto someone or someone's plans. I hate to put the kibosh on Randy, but he isn't doing what he is supposed to. Your comments put the kibosh on the whole project.

See also: kibosh, on, put

put the kibosh on

Restrain or check something, as in The rain put the kibosh on our beach party, or The boss put the kibosh on the whole project. The word kibosh has been used in English since the first half of the 1800s and its origin is unknown.

See also: kibosh, on, put

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

put the kibosh on

put an end to; thwart the plans of. informal

The meaning and origin of kibosh is uncertain. ‘Put the kye-bosk on her’ is used by ‘a pot-boy’ in Charles Dickens's Sketches by Boz ( 1836 ).

See also: kibosh, on, put

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

But this week it emerged that BBC bosses had put the kibosh on the whole thing.

Oi, ITV.. leave it aht! SQUARE EYES J

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has emphatically and repeatedly ruled out a commuter tax for fear it would put the kibosh on his efforts to lure corporate headquarters downtown.

Bill Daley floats pension crisis solutions, including commuter tax

Patrick Dempsey and wife Jillian Fink put the kibosh on their planned divorce earlier this year, so it seems Jillian won't be needing the comfortably plush Pacific Palisades mini-mansion she bought a year ago.

Dempseys offload bachelorette pad

This go-round, the commander of the American Legion post that hosted the event put the kibosh on a woman about to ask it, telling her there could be no "political" questions asked in the hall because the Legion is supposedly a nonpolitical organization.

Tote board

I'm sorry to put the kibosh on their nuptials, but I don't think killers - gay or straight - should be allowed to marry in jail.

PRISON WEDDING IS AN INSIDE JOKE

Some Ohio hunters were all ready to take advantage of the state's Canada goose "beach seasons" over Labor Day, when government hacks put the kibosh on all the fun.

Bravo buckeyes ... not

Tonight, more foodrelated violence ensues when Katie and Andy put the kibosh on her plans for a seductive dinner for two, pictured.

WE LOVE SOAPS

Tonight, more food-related violence ensues when Katie and Andy put the kibosh on her plans for a seductive dinner for two, right.

WE LOVE SOAPS

* The authorities in Tehran put the kibosh on a celebration for the Oscar-winning A Separation and its director.

Sundown: Wax Anne Frank Is Creepy

That has put the kibosh on Bruce's plans to make the loan signings of Ghana pair John Mensah and Sulley Muntari and Egyyptian ace Ahmed Elmohomady permanent.

Brucie told: Africa no-go

A judge just put the kibosh on Mocienne's request for DNA testing to prove Michael is her long lost daddy.

MJ's 'love child' asks judge to reconsider decision after being shot down

And they might put the kibosh on any referendum on further powers for the Assembly.

Last crumbs of comfort for Nick

You'll be so bummed about having to cough up your cash that you'll put the kibosh on the cursing.

Kick the habit: ring the New Year by shaking old habits that drag you down!

The University of Delaware also stopped early admissions this year, while the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill put the kibosh on early decision in 2002.

For early admissions, an unclear fate

The principal, Camille Pontillo, put the kibosh on it, as Jamie Malernee of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel first reported.

No pink at talent show