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- clip wings
clip wings
clip someone's wings
Fig. to restrain someone; to reduce or put an end to someone's privileges. (Alludes to clipping a bird's wings to keep it from flying away.) You had better learn to get home on time, or I will clip your wings. My mother clipped my wings. I can't go out tonight.
clip your wings
to limit your freedom She was afraid that motherhood would clip her wings.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of clip a bird's wings (to cut the feathers that make it possible for a bird to fly)
clip somebody's wings
to limit someone's freedom
Usage notes: Birds who have had their wings clipped (= cut) cannot fly.
She never had kids. I guess she thought motherhood would clip her wings.