take the wind out of your sails
Meaning
To reduce someone’s confidence, momentum, or enthusiasm by weakening their advantage or spoiling their plan.
Origin
From sailing: a boat needs wind in its sails to move. If the wind is blocked or lost, the boat slows or stops—metaphorically, someone loses drive or advantage.
Notes
Implies deflating momentum or confidence. Used in everyday speech and writing; can be intentional (“to undermine”) or unintentional (“it really took the wind out of my sails”).
Examples
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I was about to celebrate, but her criticism really took the wind out of my sails.
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The rival team scored first and took the wind out of our sails.
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When the boss pointed out the flaws in my proposal, it took the wind out of my sails.
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His calm response to the insult took the wind out of the heckler’s sails.
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I had planned a big announcement, but the leaked news took the wind out of my sails.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: “take the wind out of (someone’s) sails.” Pronouns vary (my/your/his/their). Often in past tense (“took…”). Can be passive (“the wind was taken out of…”).
Synonyms
- deflate
- undermine
- take someone down a peg
- take the steam out of
- steal someone’s thunder
Antonyms
- fire up
- bolster
- encourage
- spur on