put the kibosh on

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To halt, stop, or squelch.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Someone really needs to go put the kibosh on that noisy party.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “put the kibosh on” mean?

To halt, stop, or squelch.

Is “put the kibosh on” formal or informal?

put the kibosh on is generally slang.