Clip somebody’s wings
verb
To prevent someone from acting freely or limit their capabilities.
When her parents discovered she was skipping school, they decided to clip her wings by confiscating her phone.
Often appears as...
- clip their wings
- clip his wings
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To stop a bird from flying by cutting its wing feathers.
In order to keep the parakeet safe at home, they had to clip its wings.
Often appears as...
- clip a bird's wings
- clip the wings
verb
To prevent someone from acting freely or limit their capabilities.
When her parents discovered she was skipping school, they decided to clip her wings by confiscating her phone.
Often appears as...
- clip their wings
- clip his wings
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To stop a bird from flying by cutting its wing feathers.
In order to keep the parakeet safe at home, they had to clip its wings.
Often appears as...
- clip a bird's wings
- clip the wings
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Usage
Used to describe limitations on freedom, not physical restraint.
After the scandal, the company clipped his wings, denying him any major decisions.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Implies someone's potential or freedom is being unfairly or forcefully reduced.
The new regulations are going to clip the wings of many small businesses.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Often used when someone in authority restricts another's actions.
The board decided to clip the CEO's wings after the financial misstep.
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