clip (redirected from clips the wings)

*at a good clip and *at a fast clip

rapidly. (*Typically: go ~; move ~; run ~; travel ~.) We were moving along at a good clip when a state trooper stopped us.

See also: good

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.

See also: wing

clip something from something

to cut something out of or away from something; to cut something off something. I clipped the picture from the magazine. I clipped the straggly hairs from his head.

clip something on(to) someone or something and clip something on

to attach something to someone or something with a clip. I clipped a little name tag onto him before I put him on the plane. I clipped on a name tag.

clip something out of something and clip something out

to remove something from something by clipping or cutting. Please clip the article out of the magazine. Could you clip out the picture, too?

See also: out

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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.

See also: wing

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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)

See also: wing