Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y
TAKE THE WIND OUT OF (SOMEONE'S) SAILS
to deflate someone’s ego (1) or to ruin or destroy someone’s high expectations (2)
 TAKE THE WIND OUT OF (SOMEONE'S) SAILS
1. Mary was so sure that she was going to be offered that job. Wait until I tell her that the position has been given to Roger instead. That’ll take the wind out of her sails
2. I was hoping to be accepted by that university. When the rejection letter arrived, it really took the wind out of my sails.

The expression probably originates from the sport of racing sailboats. When one sailboat cuts in front of another, it literally takes the wind out of the rear boat’s sails, causing it to lose its speed. The expression can be used to describe one’s own disappointment (opt.2) or it can be used to express a somewhat wicked delight that someone else has met with disappointment (opt.1).


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