kibosh

American  

[kahy-bosh, ki-bosh] / ˈkaɪ bɒʃ, kɪˈbɒʃ /

noun

Informal.

1. nonsense.

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idioms

1. put the kibosh on, to put an end to; squelch; check.

   Another such injury may put the kibosh on her athletic career.

kibosh British  

/ ˈkaɪˌbɒʃ /

noun

1. to put a stop to; prevent from continuing; halt

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verb

1. (tr) to put a stop to

kibosh More Idioms  

1. see put the kibosh on.

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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.

Example Sentences

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

Erica Donald, Aaron’s wife of four years and mother of two children, did her best to put the kibosh on such speculation in a 16-second video Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2024

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

Then in 2015, then-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was scheduled to headline a fantasy football convention at the Venetian that the NFL put the kibosh on because it was on casino property.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2024

And when he put the kibosh on the whole thing, we were the ones who got yelled at, not Caroline.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman