stick in the mud

WOTD – 2 April 2008    

English

Alternative forms

• stick-in-the-mud

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈstɪk.ɪn.ðəˌmʌd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

stick in the mud (plural sticks in the mud or stick in the muds)

1. (idiomatic, pejorative) A person unwilling to participate in activities; a curmudgeon or party pooper.

   Have a little fun sometimes and don't be such a stick-in-the-mud.

2. (idiomatic, pejorative) More generally, one who is slow, old-fashioned, or unprogressive; an old fogey.

Synonyms

• (person unwilling to participate): party pooper

See also

• rain on somebody's parade, rock the boat, make waves, upset the applecart/upset someone's applecart, bust someone's bubble, put a damper on, wet blanket, killjoy, party pooper, spoilsport