take the wind out of someone's sails
Undermine their momentum
To take the wind out of someone's sails is to deflate their confidence or enthusiasm, usually by undermining their argument or stealing their thunder.
The image is nautical—a ship loses momentum when another vessel or obstacle blocks the wind from filling its sails.
I was ready to confront him, but his apology took the wind out of my sails.
- disheartenCause to lose hope
- outmaneuverDefeat through superior tactics
- rebutDisprove by argument
- throw cold water onDismiss or dampen enthusiasm
- deflateRelease air from
take down a notch · knock down a peg · undermine · thwart · counter · discourage · demoralize · foil · embarrass · undercut · humiliate · upstage · silence · disappoint · diminish · obstruct · impede · unsettle
take the wind out of someone's sailsencourage
Urge forward with support
bolster · embolden · hearten · lift someone's spirits · inspire
take the wind out of someone's sailspropel forward
Cause to move onward
accelerate · spur on · catalyze · facilitate · grease the wheels