take the wind out of someone's sails

== English == === Alternative forms === knock the wind out of someone's sails === Etymology === Referring to the idea of a ship that intercepts the wind of another, causing it to slow or stop. === Pronunciation === === Verb === take the wind out of someone's sails (third-person singular simple present takes the wind out of someone's sails, present participle taking the wind out of someone's sails, simple past took the wind out of someone's sails, past participle taken the wind out of someone's sails) (idiomatic) To discourage someone greatly; to cause someone to lose hope or the will to continue; to thwart or minimize someone's ambitions. ==== Synonyms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ====