Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

take the wind out of someone's sails

idiom

/teɪk ði wɪnd aʊt əv ˈsʌmwʌnz seɪlz/

Definition

To reduce someone’s confidence or enthusiasm, often by discouraging them or creating an obstacle in their plans.

Examples

When he pointed out the flaws in her plan, it really took the wind out of her sails.
Winning the first round of negotiations took the wind out of their sales ambitions for the rest of the week.
The unexpected rainstorm took the wind out of our plans for an outdoor picnic.

Meaning

This idiom refers to the act of diminishing someone’s energy or motivation, similar to how a sailboat loses speed when the wind is removed from its sails.