Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
clip someone's wings
idiom
/klɪp ˈsʌmˌwʌnz wɪŋz/
Definition
To restrain or limit someone’s freedom, opportunities, or potential, often in a negative or restrictive manner.
Examples
- After the recent layoffs, the management had to clip the employees’ wings to ensure the company remained stable.
- Her strict rules often clipped her children’s wings, limiting their ability to make independent choices.
- The new regulations have clipped the company’s wings, making it harder to operate effectively in the market.
Meaning
This phrase refers to the act of reducing someone’s power or ability to do something, typically in a context where they might have been overstepping their boundaries or expectations.
Synonyms
- Limit
- Restrict
- Suppress
- Stifle
- Deter
