Question

(to) throw cold water over (an idea, a plan) Pat presented her boss with a plan to expand their business into China, but he threw cold water over her plan and told her to just focus on developing business in the United States.

Accepted Answer

to present reasons why something will not work; to discouragenote: You will also hear the variation: to throw cold water on.

Idiom	(to) throw cold water over (an idea, a plan)
Meaning	to present reasons why something will not work; to discourage note: You will also hear the variation: to throw cold water on.
Example	Pat presented her boss with a plan to expand their business into China, but he threw cold water over her plan and told her to just focus on developing business in the United States.

Cold Water Throw Plan Business Idea Present Reasons