# rain on someone's parade

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rain-on-someones-parade
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To spoil someone's celebration.

## Examples

- Don't rain on my parade — I'm excited about this.
- I didn't want to rain on her parade by pointing out the flaws in her plan.
- He held his tongue, unwilling to rain on their parade even as he foresaw the inevitable disappointment ahead.

## Origin

20th-century American; popularised by the song 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from the musical Funny Girl (1964).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.