Meaning
To spoil someone’s plans, excitement, or happiness, often by introducing an unwelcome, deflating piece of reality.
It’s frequently used defensively, as in “I don’t want to rain on your parade, but…”, to soften bad news or a discouraging observation.
Origin
The image is literal: an outdoor public parade, planned and prepared for in advance, ruined by a sudden downpour that nobody could control or predict. The figurative sense of spoiling someone’s excitement or plans is documented in American English by the mid-twentieth century, and the phrase was given enormous popular exposure by the 1964 Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” whose signature song “Don’t Rain on My Parade” turned the idiom into a defiant declaration of refusing to let anyone dampen one’s ambition, cementing it firmly in everyday English.
Examples
I hate to rain on your parade, but the venue is already booked that day.
She didn’t want to rain on his parade right before the big announcement.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but the numbers don’t add up.
A: We’re thinking of quitting our jobs to travel. B: I don’t want to rain on your parade, but have you saved enough?
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Rain on someone's parade' mean?
To spoil someone’s plans, excitement, or happiness, often by introducing an unwelcome, deflating piece of reality.
It’s frequently used defensively, as in “I don’t want to rain on your parade, but…”, to soften bad news or a discouraging observation.