Clip your wings Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɫɪp/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈwɪŋz
KLIP-yer-WINGZ
klˈɪp/ /jˈɔː/ /wˈɪŋz
kl-IP-yaw-WINGZ
Definition
To limit someone's freedom, power, or ability to do what they want; to prevent someone from doing something freely.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic, informal phrase often used about parents limiting children, bosses restricting employees, or any situation where someone's potential is held back. It often implies frustration or disappointment.
Spanish: cortar las alas (figurativo)Portuguese (BR): cortar suas asas (figurado)Portuguese (PT): cortar as suas asas (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 限制自由 (比喻用法) - 剪掉你的翅膀 (字面) Chinese (Traditional): 限制自由 (比喻用法) - 剪掉你的翅膀 (字面) Hindi: पंख कतरना (रूपक)Arabic: قص أجنحتك (مجازي)Bengali: পাখা কাটা - স্বাধীনতা সীমাবদ্ধ করাRussian: подрезать крыльяJapanese: 翼を奪う - 行動を制限するVietnamese: cắt cánh - hạn chế tự doKorean: 날개를 꺾다Turkish: kanatlarını kırpmak - özgürlüğünü kısıtlamakUrdu: پر کاٹنا - آزادی محدود کرناIndonesian: memotong sayap - membatasi kebebasan
Example Sentences
Her parents tried to clip her wings by not letting her travel alone.
basic
The new rules will clip your wings at work.
basic
The coach doesn't want to clip his wings; he wants him to be creative.
basic
They really clipped my wings when they took away my project.
natural
Don’t let anyone clip your wings—go for your dreams!
natural
Whenever I get too ambitious, life seems to clip my wings.
natural