clip someone's wings
Curtail someone's independence
To clip someone's wings is to restrict their freedom or limit their power, preventing them from acting as boldly or independently as they otherwise might.
The image comes from clipping a bird's flight feathers to keep it grounded: Her parents clipped her wings by taking away the car.
Often used when authority figures curtail someone's ambitions or autonomy.
- constrainTo limit or restrict
- keep in checkControl or limit something
- rein inLimit or control
- hinderObstruct or delay
- impedeTo obstruct movement
stifle · suppress · inhibit · disempowerment · control · helplessness · curb · limit · tie down · cage · box in · confinement · dominate · ground · subjugate · put in place · block · shut down
clip someone's wingsset free
Release from confinement
liberate · emancipate · unleash · let loose · unshackle
clip someone's wingsempower
Grant authority or confidence
enable · strengthen · equip · resource · capacitate
clips, clipped, clipping, clippings, someone, wings, winged, winging, wingless