take the starch out of someone
take the starch out of (one)
To reduce or damage someone's ego or pride; to humble or humiliate someone. I'm really glad that pompous oaf lost his court case—maybe that will take the starch out of him a bit. His rejection from the literary magazine really took the starch out of Tom. Don't let a silly performance review take the starch out of you like that—you've got to have confidence in your own work.
See also: of, out, starch, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
take the starch out of someone
shake someone's confidence, especially by humiliating them. USSee also: of, out, someone, starch, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
take the starch out of someone
tv. to reduce someone’s self-assurance; to reduce someone’s conceit. I took the starch out of Kelly by telling him where he was headed if he didn’t change his ways.
See also: of, out, someone, starch, take
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- take (someone) down a peg (or two)
- take the starch out of
- take the starch out of (one)
- bring (someone) down a notch (or two)
- pull (someone) down a notch (or two)
- pull (someone) down a peg (or two)
- take (one) down a notch (or two)
- take (one) down a peg (or two)
- take down a peg
- take someone down a peg or two