knock the stuffing out of someone
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.
knock the stuffing out of someone
If something knocks the stuffing out of someone, it destroys all their energy and self-confidence, and leaves them feeling weak and nervous. That second goal knocked the stuffing out of Chelsea and they seemed to give up. For a while the accident knocked the stuffing out of me, but I'm ready now and determined to get back and prove myself. Note: The verb take is sometimes used instead of knock. The drive from the airport always took the stuffing out of her.