knock the stuffing out of somebody

knock the stuffing out of (one)

1. To strike or assault one violently and severely. Likened to the cotton stuffing of a stuffed animal being knocked out of it by severe blows. Hey, watch it, pal, or I'll knock the stuffing out of you! Two guys mugged me and then knocked the stuffing out of me last night.

2. To lower one's confidence. Boy, that performance review really knocked the stuffing out of me—I just feel like I can't do anything right anymore.

See also: knock, of, out, stuffing

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

knock the ˈstuffing out of somebody

(informal) make somebody feel weak, mentally and/or physically: When his wife left him, it seemed to knock the stuffing out of him. ♢ This flu has really knocked the stuffing out of me.

Stuffing in this idiom refers to the soft material used to fill cushions, toys, etc.

See also: knock, of, out, somebody, stuffing

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