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take the wind out of someone's sails

To discourage someone greatly; to cause someone to lose hope or the will to continue.

Etymology:

  • Referring to the idea of a ship that intercepts the wind of another, causing it to slow or stop.
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It really took the wind out of his sails to know that even if he won the match, he could only place fourth in the tournament.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to take the wind out of someone's sails

take to the hillstake the standtake the wheelTake the Words Right Out of Your Mouthtake the reinstake totake the veiltake to something like a duck to watertake this job and shove ittake the red pilltake to hearttake to one's heelstake the shadow for the substancetake the point

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    "take the wind out of someone's sails." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/take-the-wind-out-of-someones-sails_7333>.

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