How to Pronounce "take the starch out of"
expression
TAYK thuh STARCH owt uhv
TAYK thuh STAHCH owt ov
Definition
To make someone lose confidence, energy, or their proud attitude, often by saying or doing something that humbles them.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈteɪk/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈstɑɹtʃ/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈəv
British English
tˈeɪk/ /ðə, ði/ /stˈɑːtʃ/ /ˈaʊt/ /ˈɒv
Simplified Pronunciation
US
TAYK thuh STARCH owt uhv
UK
TAYK thuh STAHCH owt ov
Listen in Context
The bad news really took the starch out of her.
Losing the game took the starch out of the team.
The teacher's criticism took the starch out of him.
Her brother's jokes really take the starch out of her when she's acting too serious.