take the wind out of someone’s sails: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘take the wind out of someone's sails’ mean?
The idiom take the wind out of someone's sails means to undermine or deflate someone's confidence or enthusiasm, often by saying or doing something that diminishes their success or achievements.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "wind off" means to gradually relax or unwind from a stressful or intense situation. It refers to the action of releasing tension or pressure, much like winding off a tightly wound object.
The idiom "take someone's breath away" means to astonish or amaze someone to the point of leaving them speechless or in awe.
The idiom "take out" means to remove something or someone from a particular place or situation.
The idiom "take out" has several meanings and uses in American English.
The idiom "take lightly" means to not take something seriously or to underestimate its importance or impact.
The idiom "take its toll" means that something has a negative impact or effect on someone or something, usually resulting in damage, exhaustion, or loss. It implies that there are consequences or consequences to be paid for a particular action or situation.
The idiom "take it out on" means to direct anger or frustration towards someone or something that is not directly related to the source of those emotions. It is a way of venting or releasing negative feelings on a person or object that is convenient or accessible.
The idiom "take down a peg" means to humble or deflate someone's arrogant or self-important attitude.
"Take down a peg" is an expression that means to humble or put someone in their place. The phrase is believed to have originated from nautical terminology, specifically from the practice of lowering a ship's flags from a higher position to a lower one as a sign of submission or acknowledgment of a superior authority.
The idiom "take down a notch" means to humble or humiliate someone, usually in response to arrogant behavior or excessive self-confidence.
The idiom "take a long walk on a short pier" means to go away and leave someone alone, usually because they are annoying or unwanted.
"Take a long walk on a short pier" is a familiar idiom in American English that conveys the idea of dismissing or rejecting someone. It is a figurative expression that implies telling someone to go away or to leave, often in a rude or dismissive manner.
Deflating one's confidence
"Take the wind out of someone's sails" is a commonly used expression in the English language. Its origin can be traced back to sailing terminology, where the phrase holds a literal meaning.
The literal meaning of the idiom refers to a sailing ship losing the force of wind that propels it forward. In sailing, wind power is essential for maintaining speed and momentum. When the wind is taken out of the sails, the ship slows down and becomes less effective in its journey. This phenomenon serves as a metaphorical basis for the figurative meaning of the idiom.
The figurative usage of the idiom relates to situations in which someone's morale or excitement is dampened or deflated. It is often used to describe instances where someone's confidence or enthusiasm is diminished by a particular event or circumstance. For example, if someone is preparing for an important presentation and receives negative feedback before they even begin, their initial enthusiasm may be "taken down a peg," leaving them feeling discouraged or demotivated.
The idiom "take the wind out of someone's sails" can also be related to other idioms such as "get the wind up" and "have the wind up." These idioms also involve the idea of losing enthusiasm or becoming discouraged. "Get the wind up" refers to a sudden feeling of fear or panic, while "have the wind up" means to feel anxious or worried. In both cases, the individual's positive energy or excitement is replaced by negative emotions.
"wind off" is another related idiom that can be connected to "take the wind out of someone's sails." It refers to someone's attempt to ignore or disregard something that has caused them to lose enthusiasm. In a similar way, when the wind is taken out of someone's sails, they may try to brush off the negative impact and continue with their journey.
"blow out of the water" is also a related idiom that shares the theme of losing momentum or being defeated. It means to completely defeat or surpass someone or something. In the context of "take the wind out of someone's sails," this idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone's confidence is shattered by a sudden setback or defeat.
Due to its metaphorical nature, "take the wind out of someone's sails" offers flexibility in interpretation and adaptation in different contexts. While it primarily conveys a sense of diminishing enthusiasm, its specific meaning may vary depending on the situation and the individual's perspective.
"take the wind out of someone's sails" is a widely recognized and used idiom that originates from sailing terminology. It metaphorically describes a situation where an individual's enthusiasm or confidence is suddenly diminished or deflated. By evoking the image of a ship losing its forward momentum due to the loss of wind power, the idiom effectively captures the essence of a sudden loss of energy or motivation. Its figurative usage in various contexts makes it a versatile expression that resonates with individuals in both social and professional spheres.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "take the wind out of someone's sails" can be used in a sentence:
- After hearing the announcement, he took the wind out of his opponent's sails by revealing his own innovative solution.
- The sudden rainstorm took the wind out of our sails and forced us to cancel the outdoor event.
- When she presented her flawless presentation, she completely took the wind out of her colleague's sails.
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