ケチをつける

expression, ichidan verb

find fault; complain; pick holes

Used when someone criticizes or finds flaws in something, often in a petty or nitpicking way. The object is marked with に.

• 彼かれはいつも人ひとの仕し事ごとにケチを付つける。

  He always finds fault with other people's work.

• せっかくの提てい案あんにケチを付つけないでほしい。

  I wish you wouldn't pick holes in my carefully thought-out proposal.

expression, ichidan verb

jinx; throw cold water on; spoil

Used when someone says something negative that seems to invite bad luck or dampen a positive mood. Often used when someone makes an ominous remark about a good situation.

• 「失しっ敗ぱいしなければいいけど」なんてケチを付つけないでよ。

  Don't jinx it by saying things like 'I hope it doesn't fail.'

• 彼かれの一ひと言ことが楽たのしい雰ふん囲い気きにケチを付つけた。

  His one remark threw cold water on the cheerful atmosphere.