knock the stuffing out of
Completely overwhelm someone
To knock the stuffing out of someone or something is to defeat, damage, or exhaust them thoroughly.
The phrase evokes the image of a stuffed toy or cushion beaten so hard its filling comes out.
The flu really knocked the stuffing out of me.
Our team knocked the stuffing out of the competition.
It can describe physical beatings, emotional blows, or any situation that leaves someone depleted or something destroyed.
- deflateRelease air from
- shatterFragment violently, suddenly
- demoralizeDestroy confidence or resolve
- devastateDestroy thoroughly and completely
- disheartenCause to lose hope
crush · take down a peg · drain · trounce · beat · beat to a pulp · shock · knock for a loop · overwhelm · sap · wallop · incapacitate · exhaust · cripple · beat down · run roughshod over · humiliate · throw off balance
knock the stuffing out ofrevitalize
Restore strength and vitality
energize · restore · uplift · strengthen · invigorate
knocks, knocked, knocking, knocker, knockers, stuffs, stuffed, stuffing, stuffy