| 释义 |
clip (one's) wings clip (one's) wingsTo restrict one's freedom, power, or full potential. A reference to the practice of clipping a bird's wings to prevent it from flying. The kids need to be able to explore the world around them—don't clip their wings. The boss is always trying to clip my wings and micro-manage me.See also: clip, wingclip someone's wingsFig. to restrain someone; to reduce or put an end to someone's privileges. (Alludes to clipping a bird's wings to keep it from flying away.) You had better learn to get home on time, or I will clip your wings. My mother clipped my wings. I can't go out tonight.See also: clip, wingclip someone's wingsRestrain or reduce someone's freedom, as in Hiding his car keys-you're really clipping his wings. This metaphor for clipping a bird's wings to prevent its flying away dates from ancient Roman times. Christopher Marlowe used it in The Massacre at Paris (1590): "Away to prison with him, I'll clip his wings." See also: clip, wingclip someone's wings COMMON If someone clips your wings, they limit your freedom to do what you want. Since then, these companies have become big business, with no government having the courage to clip their wings. Congress tried to clip his wings and cancel his referendum. Note: People sometimes clip the wings of birds to prevent them from flying away. See also: clip, wingclip someone's wings prevent someone from acting freely. Clip someone's wings comes from the phrase clip a bird's wings , which means ‘trim the feathers of a bird so that it cannot fly’.See also: clip, wingclip somebody’s ˈwings limit somebody’s freedom or power: The new law was seen as an attempt to clip the wings of the trade unions.This refers to cutting some of the feathers from a bird’s wings so that it can no longer fly.See also: clip, wingclip someone’s wings tv. to restrain someone; to reduce or put an end to a teenager’s privileges. One more stunt like that and I’m going to clip your wings for a couple of weeks. See also: clip, wing |