Ava wanted give her husband a strong scolding but she had to damp down her criticism in front of their children.

[alpacinou]

I want to say a person doesn't want to criticize another person so strongly in front of other people. Can I use "damp down"? Is this correct and natural?

Ava wanted give her husband a strong scolding but she had to damp down her criticism in front of their children.

What other ways are there to express the idea?

 

[Tarheel]

First, I would use "too" instead of "so". Second, your sentence is excellent.

 

[tzfujimino]

Ava wanted to give ...

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't find "strong scolding" natural. Also, adults don't usually scold each other. The word is generally reserved for what parents/teachers do to children.

 

[tedmc]

How about " she restrained herself (from blurting out) in front of her children"?

 

[emsr2d2]

How about "... she restrained herself (from blurting out criticism) in front of her children"?

"Blurt out" is transitive. Also, that changes the meaning. Yours makes it sound as if she didn't say anything at all. The original suggests that she moderated her tone/words because her children were there but she still criticised her husband.

 

[alpacinou]

I don't find "strong scolding" natural.

What do you suggest I use?

 

[Tarheel]

Reprimand, rebuke.

 

[tedmc]

"Blurt out" is transitive. Also, that changes the meaning. Yours makes it sound as if she didn't say anything at all. The original suggests that she moderated her tone/words because her children were there but she still criticised her husband.

Being restrained from saying something does not mean that one doesn't say anything at all.

 

[Barque]

Ava wanted give her husband a strong scolding but she had to damp down her criticism in front of their children.

Ana was very annoyed with her husband but she forced herself to speak in a moderate tone because the children were with them.
Ana wanted to give her husband a piece of her mind but spoke calmly as the children were with them.

 

[emsr2d2]

Being restrained from saying something does not mean that one doesn't say anything at all.

It does.

I wanted to buy those shoes but I restrained myself.
She wanted to shout at her son but she restrained herself.

In both cases, the thing the person wanted to do wasn't done.

 

[Barque]

While I agree with emsr2d2's examples, I do see Ted's point too. There's a fine difference between "She restrained herself" and "She spoke with restraint". Sometimes people might restrain themselves from saying exactly what they want but still say something more moderate.