CLIPPING SOMEONE’S WINGS

To clip someone’s wings is to restrict their freedom to do what they want. Unlike the previous two wing-related idioms (see previous two posts), this does relate to birds’ wings; specifically, it originates from the practice of trimming a bird’s feathers to prevent it from flying.

 Examples of use:

“The book takes its name from the fact that people often ask him what he did for Malala to make her the way she is and he answers that they should ask what he did not do – he did not clip her wings.”

“This new evidence of ethical failings will also embolden politicians and regulators around the world who want to clip Facebook’s wings.”

“Uber once thought it could go round the world ignoring local rules – now other cities may follow London in attempting to clip its wings.”


 [1] “clip the wings of” In The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press, 2005.

Photo credit: Anita Gould