take the wind out of someone's sails

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Example

“The judge's harsh opening comment took the wind out of the young singer's sails.”

Dictionary details

Component words

wind

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

get wind of Neutral · CEFR B2

learn about something private or secret, usually through an indirect channel

throw caution to the wind Neutral · CEFR B2

to act boldly or recklessly without considering the possible consequences

happily ever after Informal · CEFR B1

living a happy life forever, especially as the end of a story

at a loss for words Neutral · CEFR B2

unable to express yourself because an emotional or confusing moment leaves you speechless

touch a nerve Neutral · CEFR B2

to provoke a strong reaction by raising a sensitive or painful subject

perish the thought Neutral · CEFR C1

used as an emphatic rejection of an idea considered intolerable

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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