thin the herd

Meaning: To reduce the size of a group by removing members, typically the weakest or least productive.

Example: “The first round of auditions is meant to thin the herd.”

Origin: The phrase pictures a farmer culling inferior animals from a herd to improve the remaining stock.

More English idioms

I have a bridge to sell you A sarcastic way of saying that someone is gullible or easily deceived.
swallow one's pride To set aside one's pride and accept a humbling situation or apology.
fall into place To become suddenly clear and fully understood when separate elements finally align.
raise hell To cause a major disturbance or create considerable trouble and chaos.
flavor of the week A person or thing that receives intense attention or popularity for a brief period before…
stars align Circumstances or events combine in a fortunate way, often unexpectedly or after a long pe…

Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.

Take away fuel, take away flame. Eliminating the source of a problem stops the problem itself from spreading or persisting.
A full purse makes the mouth to speak. Wealth emboldens people to voice opinions they might otherwise suppress through fear or s…
A full purse never lacketh friends. Wealth attracts companions, but their loyalty evaporates when money disappears.

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