Take the starch out of Meaning in English

expression

US

TAYK thuh STARCH owt uhv

UK

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.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiomatic, slightly old-fashioned and informal expression. Often used to describe someone or something that humbles or discourages another person. Common with 'someone' or 'something' as object: 'That loss really took the starch out of him.' Sometimes used with a playful or sympathetic tone.

• Spanish: quitarle la arrogancia a - desinflar el ánimo de
• Portuguese (BR): tirar o ânimo de - tirar o salto alto de
• Portuguese (PT): tirar o ânimo de - tirar a arrogância de
• Chinese (Simplified): 让…泄气 - 使…不再自负
• Chinese (Traditional): 讓…洩氣 - 使…不再自負
• Hindi: गर्व/उत्साह कम करना
• Arabic: أزال الغرور عن - أحبط حماسه
• Bengali: উৎসাহ কমিয়ে দেয় - সাহস ভেঙে দেয়
• Russian: пришибить (морально) - сбить спесь
• Japanese: 気力をくじく - 自信をなくさせる
• Vietnamese: làm ai đó xuống tinh thần - làm ai đó cụt hứng
• Korean: 기(氣)를 꺾다 - 자신감을 꺾다
• Turkish: cesaretini kırmak - burnunu sürtmek
• Urdu: حوصلہ پست کرنا - اکڑ نکال دینا
• Indonesian: membuat kehilangan semangat - meredam kepercayaan diri

Example Sentences

The bad news really took the starch out of her.

basic

Losing the game took the starch out of the team.

basic

The teacher's criticism took the starch out of him.

basic

Her brother's jokes really take the starch out of her when she's acting too serious.

natural

Getting rejected by the panel really took the starch out of him.

natural

That defeat seemed to take the starch out of their fans, who had been cheering loudly all season.

natural