IdiomNature
English
Englishtake the wind out of someone's sails
Meaning: To deflate someone's confidence or spoil their high expectations.
Example: “Finding out his rival had already won the award took the wind out of his sails.”
Equivalents in other languages
French: Couper le sifflet à quelqu'un Literally: To cut someone's whistle
Origin: Nautical: a ship that passes close upwind of another blocks its wind and slows it down, a maneuver used in naval battles and racing. The figurative sense of deflating someone is recorded from the 19th century.
More English idioms
- ace in the hole A hidden but effective means of winning a conflict.
- Achilles' heel A person's weakness or the vulnerable spot in his or her character.
- acid test The most crucial or important test of worth.
- across the board Equally for everyone, for everything, or in all cases.
- all kidding aside Speaking seriously.
- all thumbs Uncoordinated and awkward, especially with one's hands.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Eres más lento que el caballo del malo You're painfully slow — the villain's horse never catches the hero.
- Testa di rapa A blockhead who isn't thinking.
- Du hast doch einen Vogel You're a bit out of your mind.
Keep exploring