also: けちがつく
expression, godan verb (-ku)
be jinxed; suffer a setback; have a damper put on things
Used when something promising or smooth-running suddenly encounters bad luck, a hitch, or a discouraging turn. Often implies a superstitious sense of being jinxed.
See also: ケチ
順調だった計画にケチが付いた。
The plan, which had been going smoothly, hit a snag.
If you say something like that, it'll put a damper on the nice mood we've got going.