Example: Seine klaren Argumente nahmen dem Gegner den Wind aus den Segeln.
Definition
"Jemandem den Wind aus den Segeln nehmen" means to weaken someone's position or argument by effectively countering or undermining it, often leaving them unable to respond or continue confidently. For example, clear arguments can take the wind out of an opponent's sails.
Translations
take the wind out of someone's sails
dejar sin argumentos
iemand de wind uit de zeilen nemen
treure el vent de les veles
couper l'herbe sous le pied
Etymology
The phrase "jemandem den Wind aus den Segeln nehmen" literally translates to 'to take the wind out of someone's sails.' It originates from sailing, where a ship relies on wind in its sails to move forward. Removing the wind means the ship loses momentum, metaphorically representing weakening someone's force or argument.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Jemandem den Wind aus den Segeln nehmen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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take the wind out of someone's sails