Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

put a crimp in

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.61 in modern English

Syllables: put a crim-p in
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see put, crimp, in.

verb

To spoil; to affect badly, preventing the usual or desired effect.

Example Sentences

"This put a crimp in my style, so I was determined we were going to find our own place faster than the timetable we'd set ourselves."
"Everyone had expected the economic recession to put a crimp in Davis's ambitions."
"Would marriage somehow put a crimp in your image as a beautiful, successful and single newscaster?"
"It sure would put a crimp in things to have any vandalism happen here."

Etymology

By analogy with putting a crimp in a pipe or hose, thereby slowing or stopping the flow of liquid through it.

Inflected Forms

puts a crimp in (present, singular) putting a crimp in (participle, present)

Questions

What does put a crimp in mean?: Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see put, crimp, in.
Where does put a crimp in come from?: By analogy with putting a crimp in a pipe or hose, thereby slowing or stopping the flow of liquid through it.

How to pronounce put a crimp in

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