cut (someone or something) down to size

1. To criticize one in an attempt to deflate their ego. A: "That guy always dominates the class discussion with his rambling, inane thoughts like he's some genius." B: "I know! It's time to cut him down to size." The boss really cut Sarah down to size during our production meeting. You might be feeling untouchable right now, but this industry has cut plenty of young punks like you down to size, just you wait.

2. To minimize the importance of something. We need to cut the board down to size before they continue their pattern of overreach. If you want to make it as a performer, you'll always need to cut heckling down to size. The senator cut the journalist's comments down to size, describing them later as "baseless" and "incendiary."

cut someone down to size

COMMON If you cut someone down to size, you do or say something which shows that they are less important or impressive than they think they are. It is time the big bosses were cut down to size. They are the ones to blame for much of the country's economic misery. If he starts bragging he'll soon be cut down to size by the women in this office.

cut someone down to size

deflate someone's exaggerated sense of self-worth. informal