Take the shine off something
verb phrase
To spoil or reduce the pleasure or satisfaction of something.
My team won the competition, but the fact that my best friend couldn't participate really took the shine off it for me.
Often appears as...
- take the shine off the victory
- take the shine off the celebration
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To spoil or reduce the pleasure or satisfaction of something.
My team won the competition, but the fact that my best friend couldn't participate really took the shine off it for me.
Often appears as...
- take the shine off the victory
- take the shine off the celebration
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Lessened Joy
Refers to a decrease in happiness or enjoyment due to a specific negative event or detail.
Winning the award would have been perfect if it weren't for the rude comments that took the shine off.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Disappointment
Expresses a sense of subtle disappointment that does not completely ruin the experience.
The unexpected rain couldn't take the shine off our beach day, we still had fun.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Usage
Used figuratively and not meant to suggest anything about physical 'shine' or brightness.
Finding a typo in my thesis really took the shine off my submission day.
Pro Tip 1/3Lessened Joy
Refers to a decrease in happiness or enjoyment due to a specific negative event or detail.
Winning the award would have been perfect if it weren't for the rude comments that took the shine off.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Disappointment
Expresses a sense of subtle disappointment that does not completely ruin the experience.
The unexpected rain couldn't take the shine off our beach day, we still had fun.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Usage
Used figuratively and not meant to suggest anything about physical 'shine' or brightness.
Finding a typo in my thesis really took the shine off my submission day.
Pro Tip 1/3Lessened Joy
Refers to a decrease in happiness or enjoyment due to a specific negative event or detail.
Winning the award would have been perfect if it weren't for the rude comments that took the shine off.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Disappointment
Expresses a sense of subtle disappointment that does not completely ruin the experience.
The unexpected rain couldn't take the shine off our beach day, we still had fun.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Usage
Used figuratively and not meant to suggest anything about physical 'shine' or brightness.
Finding a typo in my thesis really took the shine off my submission day.
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