kibosh
Americannoun
idioms
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of kibosh
First recorded in 1830–40; of obscure origin
Explanation
When you put the kibosh on something, you refuse to let it happen, or you bring it to an end. Your town may put the kibosh on dogs in the park if their owners don't clean up after them. You'll almost always find the word kibosh in the phrase "put the kibosh on." Kids often feel like their teachers and parents are constantly putting the kibosh on their fun, and you may be disappointed when a rainy day puts the kibosh on your picnic plans. The origin of kibosh is unknown — though many people think it's Yiddish, the word's earliest use was probably in an Irish neighborhood in London in the early 1800s.
Vocabulary lists containing kibosh
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But whether a listener calls for a boycott of Harbour’s projects or a kibosh on Allen’s music, they’re playing into Allen’s hand.
From Salon • Oct. 29, 2025
This may explain how a handful of homeowner groups put the kibosh on a 16-mile above-ground rail line across the west San Fernando Valley back in the early 1990s.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2025
But so far ministers have been bullish, regarding pretty much all of these amendments as ultimately trying to kibosh their entire plan.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2024
All these factors, taken together, should be enough to put the kibosh on dreams of a society-transforming intergenerational wealth transfer.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024
It is within the ability of even the most drained fairy to put a complete mind kibosh on any human alive.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
